Farmer's discovery in Egypt leads to pieces of statues for ancient king

In a remote Egyptian village, a local farmer's chance discovery of an unusual pink rock has set the stage for a remarkable archaeological find. Khaled al-Shahat, working on his land, unearthed a mysterious stone that piqued the interest of archaeologists. Upon examination, the stone revealed two royal titles belonging to King Ramses II, the ancient Egyptian ruler who reigned from 1279 B.C. to 1213 B.C.

Intrigued by the find, authorities were informed, and experts began excavating the site. To their astonishment, they unearthed a colossal head of a statue measuring around 1.6 meters high. The statue, adorned with the double crown, symbolizes the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, a symbol of power and authority dating back to 3100 B.C.

The significance of the discovery was recognized and celebrated by the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, who visited al-Shahat's hometown in Al Gharbia Governorate in the Nile Delta. Al-Shahat and his wife were honored with certificates of appreciation and a trip to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage, acknowledging his honesty and responsible conduct in reporting the discovery.

Further excavations revealed the upper portion of a statue's back pillar, inscribed with Ramses II's Horus name: Hor Ka Nakht Mery Maat. The head of the statue suggests that the complete statue would have stood approximately 28 feet tall. Additionally, most of a second royal statue, believed to also depict Ramses II, was uncovered.

This statue, measuring around 2.4 meters long, is missing its legs and base, along with part of its upper royal nemes headdress. Despite the damage, the well-preserved facial features of the statue's head are strikingly similar to those of the first statue.

As archaeological studies continue on al-Shahat's land, the region's history and architectural development in ancient Egypt are set to be illuminated, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past.