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Cairo development site reveals ancient statue

History of Egypt revealed in ancient statue found in Cairo In March 2017 Egyptian and German archaeologists in Cairo discovered a large quartzite bust buried 2 m below ground level during construction of a new…

16 Mar 17 · 2 mins read

History of Egypt revealed in ancient statue found in Cairo

In March 2017 Egyptian and German archaeologists in Cairo discovered a large quartzite bust buried 2 m below ground level during construction of a new roads. The bust is believed to be Ramses the Great or Ozymandias.

This is a major find in Cairo. The location of the statue is understood to be in a place known in ancient Egypt as the Heliopolis. Included in the complex was the sun temple in Heliopolis which is believed by Archaeologists to be founded by Ramses II.

In the History of Egypt: Heliopolis was the largest temple in Ancient Egypt.

Heliopolis was one of the largest temples in Egypt. The temple is believed to have been destroyed in Greco-Roman times. At the time it was double the size of the Karnak Temple in Luxor. Many of the decorative pieces from the temple complex where looted over time. Pieces where moved to Alexandria and Europe.

Commentators are hopeful that this find is of Ramses II. If it is Ramses II, then the statue will be moved to the entrance of the Grand Egyptian Museum that is scheduled to open in Giza next year.

To view the New York Times video of what is believed to be the Rameses II statue click here.

Odyssey Traveller offers two tours a year to Egypt. Follow the link for Odyssey's Ancient History of Egypt escorted Small Groups for mature travellers.

Departure dates are paired with the tour to Jordan each year.