Egyptian Scientific Committee Recommends Re-evaluating and Potentially Dismantling Restored Sections of King Ramses II Statue at Karnak Temple Complex

A specialized Egyptian scientific committee has recommended re-evaluating the sections used to complete the statue of King Ramses II, located in front of the Second Pylon at the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor, as reported by RT on Sunday.

The committee suggested studying the feasibility of dismantling the restored section atop the statue’s base, provided it is confirmed that doing so will not impact the original part of the statue. This recommendation follows a comprehensive study that uncovered discrepancies in the type and color of certain blocks used in the restoration compared to the original sections.

Additionally, the committee advised conducting laboratory analyses on samples taken from the statue’s base—which remains in its original position—and comparing them with the restoration blocks. This process aims to verify whether the blocks belong to the same statue; if the results do not match, those pieces will be excluded due to having no confirmed connection.

The study also highlighted discrepancies in the anatomical proportions of the restored section, noting that its dimensions exceeded the statue's presumed natural proportions. Consequently, a scientific study has been recommended to assess the feasibility of detaching this section while ensuring the preservation and safety of the original part.

Furthermore, specialists at the archaeological site have been instructed to search for missing fragments of the statue, including the upper part of the crown and a portion of the leg. Any discovered pieces will be examined to verify their authenticity. If missing original parts are not found, an archaeological study will determine their probable form and proportions, followed by an assessment of the feasibility of completing the statue in accordance with international laws and charters governing restoration work.

The study ultimately concluded that completing the statue is not feasible; therefore, any discovered archaeological fragments will be preserved and stored rather than utilized in a speculative reconstruction.