Hidden for 3,000 years: Giant statues of Ramses II emerge from Egyptian village after farmer spots mysterious stone block in his field

Hidden beneath a quiet Egyptian village for 3,000 years, two colossal statues of one of history's most famous pharaohs have been unearthed.

The remarkable discovery was made in Behbeit el-Hagar, a village in Egypt's Nile Delta about 60 miles (100km) north of Cairo, after a farmer spotted a mysterious stone block in his field.

Suspecting it might be ancient, he alerted authorities, who quickly dispatched archaeologists to inspect the site.

And what they uncovered was far more impressive than anyone expected.

Rescue excavations revealed the remains of two massive royal statues, one of which has been confirmed as depicting King Ramses II.

The second statue is also believed to represent the legendary pharaoh, who was one of ancient Egypt’s greatest rulers.

‘The Egyptian archaeological mission succeeded in the rescue operations carried out in the village of Behebat al-Hijara in Gharbia Governorate, in uncovering the remains of two massive royal statues,’ Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said.

‘One of them [is] King Ramses II, while the other is [also] likely to belong to the king.’

One of the most spectacular finds was a giant head of Ramses II measuring around 5ft 3in (1.6m) tall.

The king is shown wearing the double crown that symbolised the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Experts estimate the complete monument may originally have stood around 28ft (8.5m) high, including its base.

The second statue is even larger, measuring about 8ft (2.4m) in length, although it is missing its legs and lower section.

Despite its age, the statue's facial features remain remarkably well preserved, researchers said.

Excavations also uncovered a block of pink granite covered in hieroglyphic inscriptions bearing royal titles linked to Ramses II.

Officials praised the farmer whose quick thinking led to the discovery, saying his actions helped protect an important piece of Egypt's cultural heritage.

Excavations at the site are continuing in the hope that more treasures remain hidden beneath the village.

Archaeologists believe the finds could provide valuable new clues about the ancient temple complex that once stood in the area and the role it played during the reign of Ramses II.

Behbeit el-Hagar is a renowned archaeological site in Egypt’s Nile Delta, best known for the monumental remains of an ancient Temple of Isis.

Built largely from massive granite blocks, the sanctuary once stood as an important centre of religious worship during the Late Period and Ptolemaic era.