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| King Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. (biografiasyvidas) |
Archaeologists have discovered a sun temple with massive statues believed to belong to King Ramses II, located beneath a bustling market in Cairo, Egypt.
This is the largest sun temple ever found in the city, where the ancient city of Heliopolis – a center for sun worship – once thrived, according to leading archaeologist Zahi Hawass.
Among the artifacts discovered is a pink granite statue weighing 4-5 tons that bears features resembling those of King Ramses II. Additionally, there is a 1.5-meter-tall seated statue adorned with three oval-shaped inscriptions of the pharaoh’s name and titles, as well as a 3-ton human head. The blue stone base of the temple has also been uncovered.
A group of Egyptian researchers, in collaboration with the German Archaeological Organization, found this area beneath Souq al-Khamis, a famous market in eastern Cairo.
King Ramses II ruled Egypt from 1270 to 1213 BC, commissioning structures along the Nile River to commemorate his victories and many other temples, including the famous Abu Simbel, located near what is now the southern border of Egypt.
M.T.
