Brief

Two colossal Ramses II statues uncovered in Egypt's Nile Delta village

A farmer’s discovery led to the rescue of two giant statues of the ancient Egyptian ruler in a village north of Cairo.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 14 Oct 2026 20:08:24 GMT

Archaeologists working in Behbeit el‑Hagar, a village in Egypt’s Nile Delta about 100 km north of Cairo, have uncovered the remains of two colossal statues of Pharaoh Ramses II, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The find began when a local farmer spotted a mysterious stone block in his field and alerted authorities. Rescue excavations quickly revealed a 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) head wearing the double crown that symbolised the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, and a second statue fragment measuring about 2.4 m (8 ft) in length, though missing its legs and lower section.

Officials said the complete monuments may have originally stood around 8.5 m (28 ft) tall, including their bases. A pink granite block bearing hieroglyphic royal titles linked to Ramses II was also recovered.

Researchers noted that, despite their age of roughly 3,000 years, the facial features of the statues remain remarkably well preserved. The Ministry praised the farmer’s quick thinking, saying his actions helped protect an important piece of Egypt’s cultural heritage.

Excavations are ongoing, with archaeologists hoping to uncover further clues about the ancient temple complex that once stood in the area, a site historically associated with the Temple of Isis from the Late Period and Ptolemaic era.

Key facts

Two massive statues of Ramses II were uncovered in Behbeit el‑Hagar, Egypt. (dailymail.co.uk)
One statue fragment includes a 1.6 m head with a double crown. (dailymail.co.uk)
The second fragment measures about 2.4 m in length and is missing its legs. (dailymail.co.uk)
A pink granite block with hieroglyphic royal titles was also found. (dailymail.co.uk)
The discovery was prompted by a farmer who reported a stone block in his field. (dailymail.co.uk)