No other civilisation in the world has captured the imagination of scholars and ordinary people like Egypt. Often called the “Mother of the World”, it is home to some of the greatest archaeological treasures that have traditionally attracted visitors from across the globe. And yet, despite all the attention, Egypt does not seem to have given up all its ancient secrets.
As The National reported yesterday, archaeologists have recently stumbled upon two giant statues in one of Cairo’s most densely populated neighbourhoods. The sculptures, dating back more than 3,000 years, are thought to depict royal figures from the 19th dynasty that ruled Egypt around 1200BC. The larger one, measuring eight metres tall, is believed to be the Pharaoh, Ramses II.
The find could prove a fillip for Egypt’s tourist industry, which has faced a series of challenges since the start of this decade. It’s also a humble reminder that there is so much more that still remains undiscovered from ancient Egypt.
