Last week, the 83-ton statue of Ramses II was moved to its new home at the Grand Egyptian Museum. | National Geographic

The Reclining Statue of Ramses II at Mit Rahina This colossal statue of pink granite was discovered in 1820 lying face down in a mud pit. Due to its fragile condition and damage to its lower parts (from the knees down), it was left in place at its discovery site in Mit Rahina (ancient Memphis). The Mit Rahina Open Air Museum was established around it in 1985 for its protection. This statue is part of the magnificent monuments that comprise the Great Temple of Ptah in the ancient Egyptian capital

Ramses II — The Eternal King at the Grand Egyptian Museum Standing in the main hall of the Grand Egyptian Museum, this colossal statue of King Ramses II does not simply welcome visitors — it confronts them with power, eternity, and legacy. Carved from massive stone over 3,000 years ago, the statue depicts Ramses II, the most celebrated pharaoh of Egypt’s New Kingdom, seated in absolute calm and authority. Every detail — from the serene facial expression to the perfectly proportioned body — refle