Restoration began one month ago on a statue of the celebrated 19th
dynasty pharaoh, which decorated the façade of the Karnak Temples' first pylon. Written By / Nevine
El-Aref.
Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities is conducting comprehensive restoration
work on a colossus statue of king Ramsess II that once decorated the façade of
the first pylon of the Karnak Temple Complex.
Mostafa Waziri, head of the ministry’s Luxor antiquities department,
told Ahram Online that reconstruction of the statue began one month ago, and is
expected to be completed within two months. The statue would then be erected in
its original position, he said.
The colossus of Egypt's most celebrated pharaoh stood in front of
Karnak's first pylon along with five others. Four of these colossi depict the
king standing and the two others sitting.
During the fourth century AD, Waziri said, the colossi were subjected to
damages by a destructive earthquake. Their blocks were selected and placed in
wooden shelters on the first pylon's western side.
In 2016, the ministry decided to restore and reconstruct one of these
statues. Luxor governorate has supported the project by providing the materials
needed for restoration.
The statue is carved in gray granite, weighs 65 tons and stands 10.8 metres tall.
The statue is carved in gray granite, weighs 65 tons and stands 10.8 metres tall.
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