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.
A farmer in Egypt's Nile Delta reported an unusual pink stone on his land, and archaeologists then uncovered parts of two statues believed to depict King Ramses II.
Egyptian farmer Khaled al-Shahat was working on his land on a Friday when he found an unusual pink stone. He told CBS News that he informed the relevant authorities, who came to examine it. Excavations followed, and archaeologists uncovered pieces of statues believed to depict King Ramses II, who ruled Egypt from 1279 B.C. to 1213 B.C.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the stone was an ancient pink granite block about 1.3 meters (4.26 feet) long. It bore two royal titles of Ramses II: "Nesw-Bity," meaning King of Upper and Lower Egypt, and "Sa-Ra," meaning Son of Ra, the sun god.
Near the block, archaeologists found a colossal statue head about 1.6 meters (5.25 feet) high. It shows the king wearing the double crown, a symbol of the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. They also found the upper part of the statue's back pillar, which carries his formal royal title, the Horus name Hor Ka Nakht Mery Maat. Based on the size of the head, archaeologists estimate the complete statue stood about 28 feet tall.
The team also recovered most of a second royal statue, which is also believed to show Ramses II. It measures about 2.4 meters (7.87 feet) long and is missing its legs, its base and part of the upper section of its royal nemes headdress. The ministry said its facial features are well preserved and clearly resemble those of the first statue.
On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy visited al-Shahat's hometown in Al Gharbia Governorate to honor him. The minister gave al-Shahat and his wife certificates of appreciation and a trip to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage. The ministry said the honors recognized his honesty and sense of responsibility in not keeping the discovery to himself.
Excavations and archaeological studies are continuing on his land. Researchers hope to learn more about the statues, the history of the area and its architectural development in ancient Egypt.
Note: The headline says remains of two colossal statues of Ramses II were found. The page says the second statue is only believed to depict Ramses II, and that only a colossal head and back pillar remains of the first statue were described. The 28-foot height of the first statue is an estimate.
At a Glance
- A pink granite block about 1.3 meters long bore two royal titles of Ramses II, the ministry said.
- The recovered statue head is about 1.6 meters high, suggesting a complete statue roughly 28 feet tall.
- A second statue, about 2.4 meters long and missing its legs and base, was also uncovered.
- Minister Sherif Fathy honored farmer Khaled al-Shahat on Oct. 14, 2026, with certificates and an Umrah trip.
Sources
This brief was written by Brightside Report from the reporting linked above. Spot an error? Request a correction.