Egyptian farmer's find leads to two giant Ramses II statues
Archaeologists in Egypt's Nile Delta have uncovered the remains of two large statues of Ramses II after a farmer reported an unusual stone on his land, CBS News and Live Science reported. One head is about 5.2 feet tall and wears a double crown. Digging is continuing on his land.
A farmer's discovery on his land in Egypt's Nile Delta has led archaeologists to the remains of two large statues of the pharaoh Ramses II, CBS News and Live Science reported.
"I was working on my land on Friday when I came across an unusual stone," the farmer, Khaled al-Shahat, told CBS News. He informed the authorities, who came to examine it, he said. Live Science, which spells his name Khaled el-Shahat, reported that he notified Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which sent a team to the village of Behbeit El Hagar.
The stone was a pink granite block about 1.3 meters (4.26 feet) long bearing two royal titles of Ramses II, CBS reported, citing the ministry. Near it, archaeologists found a colossal head about 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) tall showing the king in the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, the outlets reported.
The size of the head suggests the full statue stood about 28 feet tall, the outlets reported. Part of the statue's back pillar carries the king's Horus name, Hor-Ka-Nakht-Mery-Maat, the outlets said.
Most of a second statue, also believed to depict Ramses II, was found as well, the outlets reported. It measures about 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) and is missing its legs and base, CBS reported.
Ramses II ruled Egypt from about 1279 to 1213 B.C., the outlets reported.
Mahmoud Emam, a Cairo University Egyptologist who has worked on remains from the site but was not involved in the new excavation, said architectural fragments bearing Ramses II's name had been found there before, Live Science reported. He said the site, known for its temple to the goddess Isis, is threatened by urban growth.
Egypt's minister of tourism and antiquities, Sherif Fathy, visited the farmer's hometown on Wednesday to honor him, CBS News reported. "They told me this might change the history of the area," al-Shahat told CBS News. Excavations are continuing on his land, CBS reported.
What we know: Remains of two Ramses II statues, including a 5.2-foot head wearing the double crown, were found after a farmer reported a stone.
What we don't: What else the continuing excavation will find on the farmer's land.
Where outlets agree CBS News and Live Science both report that a farmer's find led to the remains of two Ramses II statues, one with a double-crowned head.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.