Colossal Statues of Ramses II Unearthed in Nile Delta, Revealing New Kingdom's Grandeur

A significant archaeological discovery has been made in the village of Behbeit al-Hagar, located in the Gharbiya Governorate. The find has brought to light major royal artifacts dating back to the reign of King Ramses II, providing fresh insights into the New Kingdom's presence in the Nile Delta. Announced following recent excavations, the discovery includes the remains of two monumental royal statues and a pink granite block adorned with hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Tamer al-Menshawy, an Egyptian antiquities researcher, confirmed that this discovery underscores the historical importance of Behbeit al-Hagar, a site already renowned for its substantial ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. The most prominent artifact is a massive statue head, measuring 1.6 meters in height, which depicts Ramses II wearing the Double Crown (Pschent), a symbol of the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. Scholars estimate that the complete statue originally stood around 8.5 meters tall. The rear pillar of the head features inscriptions of the king’s Horus name, “Hor-Ka-Nakht Mery-Maat.”

Excavators also unearthed the torso and head of a second royal statue, standing 2.4 meters tall and adorned with the traditional Nemes headcloth. Although its base and lower limbs are missing, the facial features are remarkably well-preserved and bear a strong resemblance to the first colossal statue. In addition, a 1.3-meter pink granite block was recovered, inscribed with royal titles such as “Nesu-Bity” (King of Upper and Lower Egypt) and “Sa-Re” (Son of Ra).

This discovery illustrates how Ramses II employed grand architecture and monumental statuary to assert his political and religious authority across the Delta, extending his influence beyond prominent southern centers like Luxor and Abu Simbel. Officials attributed the initial discovery to a local citizen who reported finding the granite block to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which enabled archaeological teams to conduct prompt documentation and rescue excavations.

Further excavations at Behbeit al-Hagar are anticipated to shed light on the architectural context and the integration of these royal monuments within the Delta's temple complexes.