An Egyptian farmer found "an unusual stone." It led archaeologists to pieces of statues for an ancient king.

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1. 1h ago

   Archaeologists uncover colossal Ramses II statues in Egypt

   Archaeologists in Behbeit El-Hagar have recovered the remains of two colossal statues of Ramses II after a local farmer discovered an unusual pink granite block on his land. One statue is estimated to have been 28 feet tall, and another is depicted wearing a double crown. The rescue excavation in the Nile Delta also uncovered a pink granite block and ancient inscriptions. Experts are currently analyzing the fragments to determine how these royal monuments fit into the regional history of the area.

   Why it matters

   Ramses II ruled Egypt approximately 3,000 to 3,300 years ago. He is often identified as the pharaoh who opposed Moses in the biblical Book of Exodus.

   What is confirmed

   • A farmer in Behbeit El-Hagar discovered an inscribed stone block on his land.
   • Archaeologists recovered remains of two colossal statues of Ramses II.
   • One statue is estimated to have been 28 feet tall.
   • The discovery included a pink granite block.
   • The finds are located in the Nile Delta.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The discovery includes a statue of the pharaoh who defied Moses in the biblical Book of Exodus.
   • The farmer who found the stone grows cucumbers.

   What to watch next

   • Archaeological reports on the significance of the inscriptions found with the statues.
   • Confirmation of the total number of statues in the repository.
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. HeritageDaily — Archaeologists uncover colossal statues of Ramses II in Egypt
   2. Archaeology News Online Magazine — Giant Ramesses II statues found in Behbeit El-Hagar after a villager reports a carved stone block
   3. The Daily Beast — Homeowner Makes Priceless 3,000-Year-Old Discovery in Garden
   4. People.com — Archaeologists Discover 28-Foot-Tall Pharaoh Statue Outside Man’s Home
   5. Gizmodo — An Egyptian Villager Stumbled Upon an Inscribed Stone. It Led to a Colossal Head of Ramses II
   6. CBS News — An Egyptian farmer found "an unusual stone." It led archaeologists to pieces of statues for an ancient king.
   7. Yahoo News Canada — Mysterious Stone Outside Man’s Home Revealed to Be Remains of 28-Foot Statue of Pharaoh Who Ruled Egypt 3,000 Years Ago
   8. FOX Weather — Man discovers mysterious stone outside home, leading to massive 3,300-year-old Egyptian treasure
   9. Live Science — 2 giant Ramesses II statues, one wearing a double crown, discovered by man in Egypt
   10. Artforum — Ramses II Statues Found Buried in Egyptian Village
   11. gizmodo.com — An Egyptian Villager Stumbled Upon an Inscribed Stone. It Led to a Colossal Head of Ramses II
   12. Yahoo — Egypt man uncovers a stone block while working on his land. Then experts realize it belongs to a 3,000 year old king allegedly from the Bible
   confidence 90%