Egypt discovers statue likely of Ramesses II in Nile Delta

Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a large statue, likely depicting Pharaoh Ramesses II, during excavations at the Tell el-Faraon site in Sharqia governorate in the Nile Delta, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Wednesday.

The statue, which is missing its lower section, including the legs and base, is estimated to weigh between 5 and 6 tons and stands about 2.2 metres tall.

The find was made by an Egyptian mission affiliated with the Supreme Council of Antiquities during ongoing work in the Husseiniya district.

Supreme Council of Antiquities Secretary-General Hisham El-Leithy said the statue points to royal and religious activity in the eastern Nile Delta and sheds light on the reuse and relocation of royal monuments during the New Kingdom period.

He added that the discovery highlights links between regional sites and major royal centres in ancient Egypt.

Preliminary analysis suggests the statue may have been part of a triad group, similar to others previously found in Sharqia governorate.

Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector Mohamed Abdel-Badie said initial studies indicate the statue was likely moved in antiquity from the ancient capital Pi-Ramesses to Tell el-Faraon, historically known as Imet, where it was reused in a religious complex.

The statue has been transferred to a museum storage facility in San El-Hagar for urgent restoration in line with conservation standards.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English