World · Africa · 1 day ago
Farmer’s tip leads to discovery of two Ramses II statue remains in Egypt
In Behbeit el-Hagar in Egypt’s Nile Delta, a farmer alerted officials after finding an inscribed stone on his land.
An archaeological team then uncovered remains of two colossal statues, though the second statue’s identification as Ramses II is not confirmed.
The first statue’s head is 1.6 metres tall, and officials estimate the complete statue may have stood about 8.5 metres tall.
Ramses II ruled Egypt for more than six decades during the 19th Dynasty, from around 1279 to 1213 BC.
The village is known for the ruins of a temple to the goddess Isis, and the finds may help clarify the site’s history and how the statue pieces relate to it.
Archaeologists are continuing excavations and studies to establish those connections.
An Egyptian farmer’s tip led archaeologists to uncover remains of two colossal statues in Behbeit el-Hagar in the Nile Delta.
The first statue’s head, which measures about 1.6 metres tall, depicts Ramses II wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.
The head and surviving back pillar suggest the complete statue may have stood about 8.5 metres tall, including its base.
A second statue fragment, about 2.4 metres long, has a well-preserved face and wears a nemes headdress.
Archaeologists are continuing excavations and studies to understand how the finds relate to each other and the site.
- Who
- Farmer Khaled, whose surname is reported differently in the articles, alerted authorities. Egyptian archaeologists excavated the site.
- What
- Remains of two colossal statues, believed to depict Ramses II, and an inscribed pink granite block were found.
- When
- The articles report the discovery in October 2026; one says the excavation took place on Tuesday.
- Where
- Behbeit el-Hagar, a village in Egypt’s Nile Delta.
- Why
- The farmer found a stone bearing ancient inscriptions while working his land and alerted antiquities officials.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Farmer Khaled found an inscribed stone while working his land and alerted authorities.
An Egyptian archaeological team excavated the site and uncovered statue remains.
Archaeologists recovered fragments of two statues and an inscribed pink granite block.
- Location
- Behbeit el-Hagar, Nile Delta, Egypt
- First statue head
- About 1.6 metres tall; depicts Ramses II wearing the double crown
- Estimated original height
- About 8.5 metres, including the base
- Second statue fragment
- About 2.4 metres long; legs and base missing
- Inscribed block
- Pink granite, about 1.3 metres long; bears royal titles including “King of Upper and Lower Egypt” and “Son of Ra
4 sources
Ramses II statue fragments found on Egyptian farmer’s land
Tip Egyptische boer leidt tot vondst metershoge standbeelden Ramses II
A Farmer in Egypt Stumbled Upon a Pink Stone and Called the Authorities. They Found the Remains of Two Colossal Statues of Ramses II Beneath the Property
Man discovers mysterious stone outside home, leading to massive 3,300-year-old Egyptian treasure
What people are saying
See? Cucumbers bring antiquities.
I was surprised and happy when they discovered more antiquities.
They told me this might change the history of the area.