The American archaeological mission from New York University has completed restoration of the granite head of a statue of King Ramesses II inside his temple at Abydos in Sohag Governorate. The work forms part of scientific cooperation between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and international archaeological missions operating in Egypt.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said the restoration supports the ministry’s strategy to preserve Egyptian archaeological heritage and present it appropriately to visitors. It also demonstrates successful scientific cooperation with international missions, helping bring more elements of archaeological sites back to life and enhance the visitor experience, particularly at historically significant sites such as Abydos.
Dr Hisham El-Leithy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the work was carried out under the council’s full supervision, using the latest internationally recognised scientific conservation methods. The team precisely reassembled the face and head, which had been separated from the royal headdress known as the nemes.
Following restoration, the head was mounted on a stone base at the entrance to the temple’s second pylon, at a height allowing visitors a clear view. The display enhances the visitor experience and highlights the artistic and aesthetic value of this important artefact.
Mohamed Abdel Badie, head of the council’s Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said the statue’s face was discovered in 1994 in the temple’s first courtyard by a council archaeological team. It was then moved to storage for conservation and study.
Examination established that the face matched a nemes headdress previously found at the temple, prompting the mission to restore the face and reattach it to the rest of the head.
The face measures approximately 67 cm and weighs around 300 kg. It was found in good condition, with clear traces of red and yellow pigment and part of the royal beard still preserved.
The nemes headdress weighs approximately one tonne and retains traces of yellow pigment representing the folds of striped cloth beneath the missing royal crown. Remains of the royal cobra, or uraeus, are still attached to the front.
Dr Sameh Iskander, director of the New York University mission, said the Egyptian team discovered parts of the statue, including its legs and base, during the 1994–1995 excavation seasons. The mission uncovered further fragments in earlier seasons and plans to continue excavations in the coming years, hoping to find the remaining pieces and reassemble the entire statue.
