Ramesses II Statues Unearthed by Egyptian Farmer Near Cairo as Archaeologists Continue Excavations

Pharaoh Statues Discovered in Egypt

According to НВ — Техно: While tending to his land near Cairo, an Egyptian farmer made a remarkable discovery that has drawn significant attention. On October 21, Khaled Ash-Shahat stumbled upon an unusual pink stone while working his fields. This stone turned out to be a fragment of a granite block inscribed with the royal titles of Ramesses II, one of Ancient Egypt’s most prominent pharaohs who ruled from 1279 to 1213 BCE.

Ongoing Excavations and Farmer's Reaction

Following the initial find, archaeological teams conducted further digs at the site, uncovering several statue fragments, including a 1.6-meter-tall head of the pharaoh and parts of the statue’s back pillar bearing royal inscriptions. The complete statue is estimated to have stood around 8.5 meters tall. Additionally, most of another statue believed to also represent Ramesses II was found nearby.

“I was working on my land last Friday when I noticed a strange stone. I alerted the authorities, and they came to inspect it,” said Khaled Ash-Shahat.

In recognition of his honesty and responsible action, Khaled and his wife were honored with certificates from Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy. The couple also received a gift of a trip to Saudi Arabia to perform 'Umrah,' a minor pilgrimage. The minister emphasized the importance of celebrating Khaled’s contribution in his local community.

Excavations continue on Khaled Ash-Shahat’s property, underscoring the significance of this find for the study of Ancient Egyptian history.

This discovery not only highlights Egypt’s rich archaeological heritage but also demonstrates the valuable role local residents play in preserving history through cooperation with scientific institutions. The statues of Ramesses II offer fresh insights into the cultural and political landscape of his era and are expected to encourage further archaeological exploration in the area. Such findings also have the potential to boost Egypt’s tourism by drawing global interest to its historic treasures.

This recent discovery of Ramesses II's statues adds to the growing list of significant archaeological finds in Egypt. For those interested in the details of other remarkable fragments, including two colossal statues standing up to 8.5 meters tall, you can explore more about this fascinating excavation here.