A piece of history that has been hidden under the quicksands of Egypt for nearly a century has quietly returned. Archaeologists working in central Egypt have discovered the upper half of a huge seated statue of Ramses II, one of the country’s most famous rulers. The fragment was joined to a lower section discovered in the 1930s, sparking new interest in restoring the monument into a single sculpture. Experts say the find appears to be exceptionally well preserved, with traces of the original pigments still clinging to the limestone surface. The wider significance may lie in what it reveals about royal imagery beyond Egypt’s main temple cities. Sometimes archeology can feel like detective work spanning generations, and this discovery fits that description almost perfectly.
El Ashmunein discovery reveals fragments of statue of Pharaoh Magna in Hermopolis
The fragment of the statue was found at El Ashmunein, a site that sits atop the ruins of the ancient city of Hermopolis Magna.The city was once a major religious center dedicated to Thoth, an ibis-headed god associated with writing and knowledge. Archaeological layers here show multiple periods of successive occupation, which often complicates excavation efforts. The newly discovered piece is approximately 12.5 feet tall and depicts the pharaoh seated in a formal pose. Carved from limestone, the statue displays a ceremonial headdress and a partially preserved Uraeus cobra, a royal symbol associated with divine kingship.Experts say the craftsmanship of the monument suggests it was designed to project authority far beyond Egypt’s capital region.
Missing statue finally linked to 1930 discovery
Researchers quickly linked the fragment to the lower half of the statue discovered in 1930 by German archaeologist Günther Roeder. At that time, Rod recorded the bottom but not the upper part. For decades, the statue remained incomplete, a puzzle missing its most expressive element.The recent excavations were led by Basem Gehad of Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Yvona Trnka-Amrhein of the University of Colorado, Boulder. The team reportedly discovered the face-down fragment in the moist soil while investigating another section related to the papyrus discovery. Measurements and stylistic analysis indicate that the two halves of the statue belong together.
Ancient pigments reveal statue’s lost vitality
Amazing traces of ancient color. One detail that has attracted scholarly attention is the presence of pigments. Researchers found blues and yellows embedded in the limestone, suggesting parts of the statue once displayed vivid decoration. Most Egyptian sculptures have lost their paint due to erosion and exposure. The fragment’s preservation seems particularly remarkable given the environmental challenges of the area. Changes in groundwater levels following the construction of the Aswan Low Dam have affected archaeological layers at the site, raising concerns about mineral leaching and stone fatigue.
Statue reconstruction proposal
Egyptian authorities have reportedly submitted a proposal to the Supreme Council of Antiquities seeking approval to reassemble the statue. If restoration work continues, the monument could become one of the tallest seated pharaohs outside major temple centers such as Abu Simbel, Luxor and Karnak.Officials have not yet confirmed whether the restored statue will remain where it was found or be moved to a museum.
Why Ramses II still dominates Egyptian archeology
Ramses II reigned from 1279 to 1213 B.C. and is famous for his massive building projects, military campaigns, and massive temple building along the Nile Valley. Strategically placed in regional religious centers, they reinforced royal presence and divine legitimacy far from the administrative capital.Excavation at El Ashmunein is expected to continue until 2026, with the team expanding into nearby areas using subsurface mapping and stratigraphic analysis. Archaeologists suspect that other fragments of the same statue complex may still be buried.
