Archaeologists Discover Missing Statue of Ramses II; Pharaoh During Moses' Sojourn in Egypt
Who knows what further digs near the statue will turn up. Perhaps revelations on the Exodus of God's Children to the Promised Land?
(Cairo, Egypt)—Ramses II—known as Ramses the Great—was generally believed to be pharaoh during Moses sojourn in Egypt. Now, Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a pink, granite statue of him at a site in Tell Basta, 50 miles north of Cairo. (Photo: Getty)
Zahi Hawass, the head of the country's Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the pharaoh's statue is missing its nose and beard. "The discovery is important because it may indicate that the excavators are close to the ruins of a major temple of Ramses II in the area," said Hawass.
Ramses II was buried in the Valley of the Kings at Luxor, but his mummified body is on display in a Cairo museum. He ruled Egypt from 1279-1213 BC. and was husband to Nefertiti.
