Thursday March 28th, 2024
Download SceneNow app
Copied

New Limestone Formation Discoveries Shed New Light on Ramses II

The limestone formations were found in the same place as Ramses II’s statue.

Staff Writer

Two limestone formations with carvings believed to have been engraved by Ramses II’s architect, Amenmut, were unearthed by the Ein Shams excavation team in the northern part of the Ra’a monastery in Matariya, according to Egypt Independent.

Photo courtesy of Ministry of Antiquities

The carvings reveal that the limestone formations were part of a structure built by Amenmut, says excavation team head, Mamdouh Al-Damaty. Limestone flooring as well as a limestone wall were also discovered. The wall is believed to have been used as a barrier for the two long corridors which stood behind Ramses II's statue.  

Amenmut was the architect who worked on the northern part of Ramses II’s statue which was found in the same area as the limestone formations. Al-Damaty adds that the discoveries shed light on important information about the monastery and that more excavations are set to take place in March and April 2019. 

Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great, was one of the most celebrated Pharaohs of the New Kingdom having built cities, temples, and monuments as well as having ran several military expeditions. 

Main Image from PBS.