Egyptian-American mission restores colossal Ramses II statue in Minya

MINYA – 22 February 2026: An Egyptian-American archaeological mission has successfully completed the restoration and re-erection of a monumental statue of Ramesses II at the archaeological site of El-Ashmunein in Upper Egypt’s Minya Governorate.

The joint mission restored the statue after the upper portion was uncovered in February 2024.

Following meticulous conservation work, the newly recovered section was carefully installed atop the lower half, returning the king’s likeness to its original position in front of the temple’s northern entrance.

Colossal Structure

The limestone colossus stands around 6.7 meters tall after restoration and weighs more than 40 tons.

 

It is composed of four principal components: the statue’s body, broken into two major pieces; the base, formed of three massive stone blocks; and the uninscribed lower foundations.

Restoration work began in September 2025 and involved dismantling sections that had developed structural inclinations, reinforcing and conserving the stone blocks, and reassembling the monument according to detailed scientific documentation.

Model of Int’l Cooperation

The Cabinet described the project as a successful model of constructive scientific cooperation with international missions.

Beyond its technical achievement, the restored statue is expected to enhance the historical prominence of Minya’s archaeological landscape and support Egypt’s efforts to promote cultural tourism.