Massive statues of Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III in the Luxor Valley

Majestic ... the newly displayed statue of pharaoh Amenhotep III and his wife Tiye in Egypt's temple city of Luxor. Picture: Khaled Desouki Source: AFP

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unveiled two colossal statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III in Egypt’s famed temple city of Luxor, adding to an existing pair of world-renowned tourist attractions.

The two monoliths in red quartzite were raised at what European and Egyptian archaeologists said were their original sites in the funerary temple of the king, on the west bank of the Nile.

The temple is already famous for its existing 3400-year-old Memnon colossi — twin statues of Amenhotep III whose reign archaeologists say marked the political and cultural zenith of ancient Egyptian civilisation.

Centuries old ... the two statues of pharaoh Amenhotep III were unveiled by archaeologists today in their original sites in the funerary temple of the king. Picture: Khaled Desouki Source: AFP

“The world until now knew two Memnon colossi, but from today it will know four colossi of Amenhotep III,’’ said German-Armenian archaeologist Hourig Sourouzian, who heads the project to conserve the Amenhotep III temple.

The existing two statues, both showing the pharaoh seated, are known across the globe.

Mindful restoration ... Egyptian archaeological workers stand next to a newly displayed alabaster head from an Amenhotep III. Picture: Khaled Desouki Source: AFP

The two restored additions have weathered severe damage for centuries, Sourouzian said.

“The statues had lain in pieces for centuries in the fields, damaged by destructive forces of nature like earthquake, and later by irrigation water, salt, encroachment and vandalism,’’ she said on Sunday, as behind her excavators and local villagers washed pieces of artefacts and statues unearthed over the past months.

Seat of kings ... The new statue of pharaoh Amenhotep III and his wife Tiye join the existing two famous ancient Memnon colossi in Luxor. Picture: Khaled Desouki Source: AFP

“This beautiful temple still has enough for us to study and conserve.’’

One of the “new’’ statues — its body weighing 250 tonnes — again depicts the pharaoh seated, hands resting on his knees.

It is 11.5 metres tall, with a base 1.5 metres high and 3.6 metres wide.

Archaeologists said with its now missing double crown, the original statue would have reached a height of 13.5 metres and weighed 450 tonnes.

The king is depicted wearing a royal pleated kilt held at the waist by a large belt decorated with zigzag lines.

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