An Egyptian farmer witnessed an unexpected discovery on his property that would become a major archaeological excavation. While working on land in the Nile Delta, Khaled al-Shahat found a stone unlike the others and decided to alert the authorities, not realizing that he had stumbled upon a trace dating back more than 3,000 years. The information comes from CBS News.
The piece was a pink granite block with inscriptions related to Pharaoh Ramses II, one of the most famous rulers of Ancient Egypt. The discovery led archaeologists to begin excavations at the site, which quickly revealed other relics buried beneath the soil.
Among the finds are fragments of two monumental statues attributed to Ramses II. One of them includes a head about 1.6 meters tall, depicting the pharaoh wearing the traditional double crown of ancient Egypt. Based on the dimensions of the piece, experts estimate that the complete statue could have reached approximately 8.5 meters in height.
Archaeologists also found parts of a second sculpture, along with royal inscriptions preserved on stone blocks. The assessment is that the remains could help uncover more details about the region’s occupation during the pharaonic period and may even alter the historical understanding of the area.
For his honesty in reporting the discovery, al-Shahat was honored by the Egyptian government. He and his wife received certificates of recognition and a trip to undertake a religious pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
