Ramses II Statues Found: Farmer Tip Reveals 8.5m Colossus

A cucumber farmer's sharp eye has led to one of Egypt's most striking archaeological discoveries of 2026: two colossal Ramses II statues unearthed in the Nile Delta. Khaled el-Shahat alerted authorities after striking a carved pink granite block on his land in Behbeit El-Hagar, roughly 110 kilometres north of Cairo. The subsequent rescue excavation, announced by Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on 13 October 2026, revealed a 1.6-metre royal head and a second, roughly 2.4-metre statue fragment.

How an Egyptian Farmer's Tip Uncovered the Ramses II Statues

Khaled el-Shahat was working his land in the Gharbia Governorate when he hit something hard. Rather than digging further, he reported the find — a decision that set the Supreme Council of Antiquities in motion. This kind of local cooperation is increasingly central to Egyptian archaeological rescue missions across the Delta region.

The site, Behbeit El-Hagar, is best known for its ancient Isis temple, but earlier evidence — Ramesside column fragments, pieces bearing Ramses II's name, and New Kingdom pottery — already hinted at a monumental phase from the pharaoh's reign. The new find confirms that suspicion.

What Was Found: Two Colossal Ramses II Statues

The 1.6-Metre Head with Double Crown

The main artifact is a 1.6-metre head of Ramses II wearing the Double Crown, or Pschent. This crown symbolised the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, a powerful political message for the pharaoh. On the back pillar, archaeologists read the king's Horus name, "Ka-nakht-mery-Maat" — translated as "The Strong Bull, Beloved of Maat." Officials estimate the complete statue, including its base, once stood about 8.5 metres tall.

The Second Statue and Inscribed Granite Block

A second statue fragment, about 2.4 metres long, preserves a well-preserved face framed by the striped nemes headcloth. While its identification is provisionally attributed to Ramses II based on facial resemblance, it has not yet been confirmed. Near this statue lay the pink granite block that farmer el-Shahat first found. Its hieroglyphs read "King of Upper and Lower Egypt" and "Son of Ra," firmly linking the monument to Ramses II, who reigned from around 1279 to 1213 BC.

The artifacts are made of pink granite, a material often associated with royal commissions. Archaeologists are continuing excavation and study at the site.

Why the Behbeit El-Hagar Discovery Matters

The find sheds new light on Ramesside activity in the Nile Delta, an area less studied than the temple complexes of Luxor and Abu Simbel. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, "The complete monument, including its base, may have stood about 8.5 metres high." The discovery also reinforces how local tips can protect priceless antiquities from looting and accidental damage. The farmer and his wife were reportedly rewarded with an Umrah pilgrimage trip for their honesty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Egyptian farmer find?

Farmer Khaled el-Shahat found a carved pink granite block with hieroglyphs while working his land in Behbeit El-Hagar, leading to the discovery of two Ramses II statue fragments.

How tall was the complete Ramses II statue?

Officials estimate the complete statue, including its base, stood about 8.5 metres high, making it a colossal royal monument.

Where is Behbeit El-Hagar located?

Behbeit El-Hagar is a village in the Gharbia Governorate in Egypt's Nile Delta, about 110 kilometres north of Cairo.

Who was Ramses II?

Ramses II, also called Ramesses the Great, ruled Egypt from about 1279 to 1213 BC and was one of its most powerful pharaohs, known for Abu Simbel and other monumental building projects.

Was the second statue confirmed as Ramses II?

The second 2.4-metre statue fragment is only provisionally attributed to Ramses II based on facial resemblance; further study is needed to confirm the identification.