In January 2024, archaeologists unearthed a remarkable discovery in El Ashmunein, located around 150 miles south of Cairo. They uncovered a 12.5-foot limestone torso lying face down in the earth. Given its considerable weight and porous structure, concerns arose regarding its preservation after exposure. The excavators aimed to validate their hopes that this limestone figure represented the upper half of a grand royal statue, last seen 94 years prior when the lower half was excavated.
### A Historical Context: The Lower Half’s Discovery
The first section of this seated limestone statue was unearthed in 1930 by German archaeologist Günther Roeder. Over the decades, the statue’s lower half remained incomplete, a lonely artifact until this recent discovery. In the 1980s, a British Museum team conducted excavations in the same region but found nothing. The recently discovered upper portion of the statue has been confirmed by researchers to match the lower half, both in the limestone material and by the hieroglyphic inscriptions detailing the royal titles of Ramesses II. When fully assembled, these two segments are estimated to create a statue towering around 23 feet.
### The Importance of Hermopolis and Ramesses II
Hermopolis Magna, or Khmunu in ancient times, was a notable religious center in Upper Egypt. Dedicated to Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing, this location was significant for both its religious heritage and archaeological value. Previous excavations from 1929 to 1939 revealed parts of Thoth’s temple, suggesting that the statue may have originally adorned the complex’s entrance. Ramesses II, a powerful pharaoh who reigned from approximately 1279 to 1213 BCE, used monumental architecture to assert his dominance. His reign is marked by the construction of iconic landmarks like the temples at Abu Simbel and the vast Karnak Temple. Strategically, the colossus at Hermopolis served to strengthen his authority across diverse Egyptian territories.
### Risks of Preservation and Future Plans
The conditions affecting the statue’s preservation raise serious concerns. After its collapse in antiquity, sediment and water from the Nile concealed the statue. The rise of the local water table due to the construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902 further contributed to its deterioration. Excavation leader Yvona Trnka-Amrhein emphasized the precariousness of limestone exposure to Nile waters, as it can erode into sand-like material. To mitigate this, the fragments require a year of conservation work before they can be safely joined.
### Insights from the Discovery and Next Steps
The previously hidden upper half of the statue exhibited remnants of blue and yellow pigments, which are currently undergoing analysis. Basem Gehad, an expert in Greco-Roman period painting, is spearheading this research, aiming to unlock more details about the statue’s original appearance. In early 2026, the two halves are scheduled for reassembly, creating a statue projected to stand around seven meters tall. Interestingly, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has expressed a preference for displaying it at its original site rather than relocating it to Cairo.
As part of ongoing archaeological initiatives, a second excavation phase is slated for late 2026, targeting the northern area of Thoth’s temple. Researchers believe they may uncover the foundational structure of the pylon that originally flanked the statue. The potential for discovering another colossus nearby remains, as such statues typically stood in pairs, heightening anticipation for future finds. With further studies and upcoming publications, additional graduate students from the University of Colorado Boulder are expected to contribute to this groundbreaking project.