New discovery unearths statues of King Ramses II in Nile Delta

An archaeological discovery in Behbeit al-Hagar, located in the Gharbiya Governorate of Egypt, has unearthed significant royal artifacts from the time of King Ramses II. These findings offer fresh insights into the New Kingdom's presence in the Nile Delta region. The excavation, conducted recently, revealed the remnants of two enormous royal statues, along with a block of pink granite bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Tamer al-Menshawy, an Egyptian antiquities researcher, verified that this discovery underscores the historic significance of Behbeit al-Hagar. The site is primarily recognized for its large temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. The principal artifact is a 1.6-meter tall statue head of Ramses II, wearing the Double Crown (Pschent), a symbol of the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. Experts believe the full statue would have been around 8.5 meters in height.

Alongside the statue head, excavators found a 2.4-meter tall torso and head of another royal statue, also wearing the traditional Nemes headcloth. Although the statue is missing its base and lower limbs, the facial features remain well-preserved and are strikingly similar to the first colossal piece. Moreover, 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 both political and religious authority across the Delta, extending beyond southern centers like Luxor and Abu Simbel. Officials acknowledged the initial finding of the granite block to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, enabling rapid documentation and rescue excavations.

Future excavations at Behbeit al-Hagar are anticipated to provide more details about the architectural context in which these royal monuments were incorporated into the Delta's temple complexes.