Delta farmer uncovers colossal Ramses II statue fragments

Published on 20/10/2026 – 7:10 GMT+2

A farmer in the Nile Delta has helped archaeologists locate two massive royal statues, including a 1.6‑metre‑tall head of Ramses II.

Khaled Khalil discovered a carved stone on his property in Behbeit el‑Hagar, a village in Gharbia governorate, and promptly reported it to antiquities officials. An Egyptian team from the Supreme Council of Antiquities then carried out a rescue excavation.

Youm7 reported that Khalil was cultivating cucumbers in a greenhouse on the plot and had not anticipated unearthing ancient artefacts. “See? Cucumbers bring antiquities,” joked Governor Alaa Abdel Moaty during a visit to the farmer’s home.

What archaeologists found

The head depicts Ramses II wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. Part of the statue’s back pillar bears his Horus name. According to Hisham el‑Leithy, secretary‑general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the head’s proportions indicate the original statue could have stood about 8.5 metres tall, including its base.

A second fragment measures roughly 2.4 metres; its legs and base are missing, but the face and a portion of the royal nemes headdress remain. Although its facial style matches the first head, archaeologists have not yet confirmed that it also represents Ramses II.

A separate pink granite block, about 1.3 metres long, carries hieroglyphic inscriptions naming the ruler “King of Upper and Lower Egypt” and “Son of Ra”.

Ramses II reigned from about 1279 to 1213 BC, a period marked by monumental construction. His colossal statues at Abu Simbel remain iconic.

Behbeit el‑Hagar is known for the ruins of a large temple dedicated to Isis. Ongoing work aims to clarify how the newly found pieces relate to each other and to the surrounding site.

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy visited Khalil to express gratitude. The farmer and his wife were awarded an Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca. During the visit Khalil also requested assistance from the governor to fund an ambulance for the village, partially already raised by residents.

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