Farmer finds ancient statues of Ramses II

An Egyptian farmer has been awarded a pilgrimage to Mecca after helping archaeologists discover ancient statues of Pharaoh Ramses II. The find was made in the village of Behbeit al-Hagar in the Nile Delta.

A man named Khaled el-Shahat Khalil was working on a plot in front of his house when he spotted a stone with inscriptions. He reported the find to the authorities, after which experts began excavations.

Archaeologists have discovered the head of the statue about 1.6 meters high. According to its size, scientists have suggested that the original height of the statue together with the base reached 8.5 meters. The image of the double crown of the pharaoh is preserved on his head.

In addition, the researchers found a fragment of a second statue about 2.4 meters long. Scientists believe that she could also portray Ramses II, but it has not yet been conclusively established. Among the finds was a granite block with hieroglyphic inscriptions containing royal titles.

The site is next to the ruins of a large ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Archaeologists are continuing research to establish the origin of the statues and their connection to the temple complex.

For the fact that the farmer reported the find, he and his wife were given a certificate and paid for a pilgrimage to Mecca.