Pharaoh Ramses II remains stone cold and very still in the recline position in Memphis, Egypt.
Within the museum in Memphis is a giant statue of the pharaoh carved of monumental limestone. It is about 30 feet in length. IThe Ramese II statue was discovered in 1820 near the southern gate of the temple of Ptah by Italian archaeologist Giovanni Caviglia. The bottom of the sculpture has been broken off. Because of this fact, it must be displayed lying on its back. Several colours are still partially preserved. The real beauty of this statue lies in its detail of the complex and subtle forms of human anatomy. The pharaoh wears the white crown of Upper Egypt, Hedjet. The British viceroy Muhammad Ali offered for it to be donated to the British Museum, but the museum declined the offer because of the difficult task of shipping the huge statue to London. Therefore it remained in the archaeological area of Memphis in the museum built to protect it. This one was one of a pair that had adorned the eastern entrance to the temple of Ptah
Size: 5248px × 3390px
Location: Memphis Museum Egypt
Photo credit: © W. Michael Wiggins / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: colossal, colossus, egypt, limestone, memphis, pharaoh, rameses, ramses, recline, sculpture, statue
