The grand opening of the restored sculpture of the ancient ruler Ramesses II took place today in the Egyptian city of Luxor. During the excavations, the old one, split into 57 parts, was found by archaeologists. The action took place in 1958, the group was led by archaeologist Mohammed Abdel-Kader. The colossus of Ramesses, which is how the giant find began to be called, weighed 75 tons, and reached a height of 11 meters!
Scientists believe that the sculpture was destroyed as a result of the strongest earthquake that was in these places in the 4th century BC. The statue is made of black granite, however, this is not the main thing. Scientists were attracted by the unusual pose of the ruler: the Pharaoh is depicted standing, in full height. For sculptures of Egyptian rulers, such an image is completely atypical. By the way, Ramesses II is not alone: there is another one-and-a-half-meter statue at his foot.
Researchers have reported that this figure is the ruler’s wife, Nefertari.
In those distant times, the image of the Pharaoh decorated one of the pylons of the famous Luxor temple. Presumably, the complex was built in 1400 BC. The Pharaohs ruling at that time completed the temple and each of them put his statue at the entrance. Scientists believe that the ancient rulers put a special meaning into this. Each figure guarded the temple from otherworldly forces. It was not allowed to touch the sculpture -not even every mortal was allowed to look at it.
Ramesses II, whose status is in question, was nicknamed the Great. It was during his time that the northern peristyle and pylon were attached to the Luxor temple. It was in this area that the fragments of a giant sculpture were found.
The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities announced that restoration work began in the fall of 2016. After months of painstaking work, the restorers were finally able to reunite all 57 fragments of the colossus. Today, the ancient statue has returned to its former place to continue protecting the temple from the black forces. Eyewitnesses say that during the installation of the pharaoh’s sculpture, they felt a slight fear and strange vibrations coming from the side of the statue. Some even felt bad at all, because of which they were forced to leave the observation deck.
What’s it? Autosuggestion? Or did the spirit of the ancient ruler remind you who is in charge here?
