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Photo: Reuters
The statue when it was first discovered
Photo: Reuters

Egypt says ancient colossus pulled from slum likely not Ramses

After initial reports excitedly supposed the statue to be depicting the Biblical Ramses II, Egypt's antiquities minister announces it probably is a representation of King Psammetich I.

A massive eight-meter statue discovered in the ground water of a Cairo slum this month is likely not a depiction of the revered Pharaoh Ramses II as first believed, Antiquities Minister Khaled Al-Anani said on Thursday.

 

 

The colossus is instead thought to be of King Psammetich I, who ruled from 664 to 610 BC and, if confirmed, would be the largest statue of the Late Period ever discovered.

 

צילום: רויטרס

   (Reuters)

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Egyptian and German archaeologists found the statue in the working class area of Matariya among unfinished buildings and mud roads, but near the ruins of Ramses II's temple in the ancient city of Heliopolis.

 

Uncovering the statue (Photo: Reuters)
Uncovering the statue (Photo: Reuters)

 

It was initially hailed by the Antiquities Ministry as among the most important discoveries to date on the basis that it depicted Ramses the Great, the most powerful and celebrated ruler of ancient Egypt. After examining pieces of the 8-meter statue however, Anani said its characteristics pointed to a different time.

 

Egypt is hoping renewed interest in its ancient past could be a boon for its tourism industry, a vital source of foreign currency that has suffered many setbacks since the uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.17.17, 10:46
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