Can a long-lost Egyptian colossus save Ancient Heliopolis?
Earlier this month, news of the discovery of a colossal statue of an ancient Egyptian king took the world by storm.
Working deep in a water-logged pit, a joint team of Egyptian and German archaeologists discovered the eight metre-high colossus broken into two large pieces: a torso and lower part of the face, with a part of the pharaoh’s false beard present, and the top of its head, wearing a crown.
These pieces have now been lifted to the surface, and taken for conservation at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, where they will
Apollo Magazine
March 21, 2017
© Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities
be temporarily displayed. Afterwards, the statue will be exhibited at the Grand Egyptian Museum, currently under construction at Giza and scheduled to open in 2018. Though early reports indicated that the quartzite colossus might have been erected under the famous King Ramesses II (c. 1279–1212 BC), it has since been shown to bear the name of King Psamtik I (c. 664–610 BC) of the Late Period – an arguably equally important pharaoh, though lacking the star power of the earlier, better known ruler.
Related articles
Pen & Sword
BAR International series
The Art Newspaper
- Egypt announces 'discovery of the century' hidden behind King Tut's tomb (March 2016)
- Signs point to two hidden rooms at Tutankhamun's tomb, experts say (September 2015)
- Tutankhamun's mask and tomb off view to tourists from October for cleaning (September 2015)
- Egypt reopens tomb as tourism falls (December 2014)
- Egyptian royal jewels found stashed in bank vault (September 2014)
- A mummy family reunion (April 2014)
- Colossal kings rebuilt in Luxor (April 2014)
- Egyptian princess sculpture unearthed in Luxor (March 2014)
- Egyptian pharaoh's tomb discovered by American archaeologist (January 2014)
Rawi: Egypt's Heritage Review
- What did Egypt's Pharaoh do Each Day? (December 2013)
- The curious tale of King Seqenenre Tao (July 2013)
- Delta Blues: A day at Pi-Ramesses and Tanis (June 2012)
- Akhenaten's Akhetaten: A day at Tell el-Amarna (June 2012)