The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced the discovery of remains from two colossal statues of Ramses II at Behbeit Al-Hagar, an archaeological site in the Nile Delta.
The excavation followed a local resident's report of a stone bearing hieroglyphs. Among the finds is a carved head of the pharaoh wearing the double crown, a symbol of rule over Upper and Lower Egypt. At around 1.6 metres tall, the head suggests the complete statue may have stood more than 8.5 metres high.
Researchers also uncovered part of a statue's back pillar, inscribed with Ramses II's Horus name, "Hor-Ka-Nakht-Mery-Maat." The site is known for the ruins of the Iseion, a temple dedicated to the goddess Isis.
Further study of the finds may add to knowledge of ancient Egyptian sculpture and the history of this Nile Delta temple site.
