In a significant discovery, a joint Egyptian-US archaeological mission has recently unearthed the upper portion of a colossal statue depicting King Ramses II, south of the Egyptian city of Minya. This monumental find sheds light on the grandeur of ancient Egypt’s powerful pharaohs.
According to Bassem Jihad, head of the Egyptian team leading the mission, the limestone block measures approximately 3.8 meters in height and portrays Ramses II seated, adorned with a double crown and a royal cobra atop his headdress. Hieroglyphic inscriptions adorning the back column extol the glory of Ramses II, a revered figure in ancient Egyptian history.
A section of a limestone statue of Ramses II unearthed by an Egyptian-US archaeological mission in El Ashmunein, south of the Egyptian city of Minya, Egypt, March 4, 2024.
Also referred to as Ramses the Great, he reigned as the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty from 1,279 to 1,213 BCE, leaving a lasting legacy of power and prosperity.
This latest excavation complements a discovery made in 1930 when the lower section of the statue was found in the same area. Combined, the sections would reach a staggering seven meters in height, presenting a formidable testament to the might of Ramses II.
The statue, crafted from limestone, vividly portrays Ramses II wearing the dual crowns symbolizing the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, signifying his role as the ruler of a united kingdom. Carved atop one crown is the royal cobra, a symbol of the Egyptian monarchy.
Behind the statue lies a column adorned with hieroglyphic inscriptions, honoring the pharaoh and providing insights into the era in which the statue was carved.
Pharaoh Ramses II remains one of the most influential figures in ancient Egyptian history. Renowned for his military prowess and expansive empire, he led conquests from Syria in the East to Nubia in the South, cementing his place as one of Egypt’s greatest rulers.