IпсгedіЬɩe Discovery: Ancient Statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, Dating Back 3,000 Years, ᴜпeагtһed in Cairo Slum, һаіɩed as a Monumental Archaeological Find

Feb 8, 2024

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“Archaeological Marvel: 3000-Year-Old Statue of Pharaoh Ramses II Unearthed in Cairo Slum, Deemed ‘One of the Most Important Discoveries.’ The colossal 26-ft quartzite statue, likely depicting Ramses II, was found near the remnants of his temple in Héliopolis, marking a significant excavation by Egyptian and German archaeologists. The revered Ramses II, known as the ‘Great Ancestor,’ ruled ancient Egypt from 1279 to 1213 BCE, expanding the empire across Syria to Nubia. Minister of Antiquities, Khaled al-Anani, unveiled the find, including the bust, head, crown, and fragments, showcasing the monumental nature of this joint expedition with the University of Leipzig.”

The statue believed to depict the legendary Pharaoh Ramses II, measure 8 meters long and was submerged in groundwater

A partial statue of Pharaoh Seti II, Ramses II’s grandson, and pieces of an obelisk were also recovered from the site

Ramses II believed that the world was created in Heliopolis, now known as Matariya, the slum where this statue was found

These monumental findings were unearthed by a team of German and Egyptian archaeologists, and are currently being restored

“The Sun Temple in Heliopolis, established by Ramses II, enhances the likelihood that the recently discovered statue depicts him, say archaeologists. Once one of Egypt’s largest temples, twice the size of Luxor’s Karnak, it succumbed to destruction in Greco-Roman times. Many obelisks were relocated to Alexandria and Europe, with its stones repurposed in Cairo. Ongoing efforts aim to extract the remaining fragments of the statues for restoration. If successful, and if proven to be Ramses II, the colossus will find a new home at the entrance of the Grand Egyptian Museum, slated to open in 2018. The discovery unfolded in Matariya, a working-class neighborhood amidst unfinished buildings and mud roads. Dietrich Raue, head of the German team in the expedition, highlighted the significance of Heliopolis as the believed residence of the sun god, making it off-limits for royal dwellings according to pharaonic beliefs.”

Matariya is believed to be the site of the Ancient Egyptian sun temples, which were built to worship Ra, the god of the sun

The sun temples were purportedly double the size of Luxor’s Karnak but were destroyed during Greco-Roman times

“The revelation that all structures, including statues, temples, and obelisks, had to be built in Matariya due to its significance as the residence of the sun god, rather than the king’s abode, underscores the historical importance of the site. This discovery holds the potential to revitalize Egypt’s tourism industry, a vital source of foreign currency that has faced setbacks since the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak. Tourist numbers plummeted from over 14.7 million in 2010 to 9.8 million in 2011, and a 2015 bomb attack on a Russian plane led to a further decline to 1.2 million visitors in the first quarter of 2016. The newfound archaeological treasure may contribute to the resurgence of interest in Egypt’s rich history, offering a boon to tourism in the post-uprising era.”