Massive statue of ‘king of kings’ Rameses II unearthed in Egypt

The Rameses II statue was found at the Tel Faraon site in the Nile Delta city of Husseiniyah, in Egypt (Picture: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities/Cover Media)

Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered part of a colossal statue believed to represent one of the country’s most powerful pharaohs, Rameses II.

The discovery was made in a temple complex on the Tel Faraon site in the Nile Delta city of Husseiniyah.

Although the statue is damaged and in poor condition, archaeologists said its remaining features have significant artistic and royal characteristics.

Initial estimates suggest the sculpture weighed between five and six tonnes and stood around 2.2 metres tall in its surviving form.

Only the lower half remains but this was enough for the team from the supreme council of ant...