Egypt unearths granite head of Ramses II

Egypt's antiquities council says that archaeologists have unearthed a 3,000-year-old red granite head believed to portray the 19th Dynasty pharaoh Ramses II.

In this undated photo released Thursday Sept. 25, 2008 by the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities the 3,000-year-old red granite head believed to be that of 19th Dynasty pharaoh Ramses II is seen at the site at Tell Basta, 80 kilometers (miles 50) northeast of Cairo, Egypt, after it was unearthed by Egyptian archaeologists.Supreme Council of Anti

Sept. 25, 2008, 8:35 PM UTC / Source: The Associated Press

Egypt's antiquities council says that archaeologists have unearthed a 3,000-year-old red granite head believed to portray the 19th Dynasty pharaoh Ramses II.

The Supreme Council of Antiquities says the discovery was made recently at Tell Basta, about 50 miles northeast of Cairo.

The council's statement Thursday says the 30-inch high head belonged to a colossal statue of Ramses II that once stood in the area. Its nose is broken and the beard that was once attached to the king's chin is missing.

The site at Tell Basta was dedicated to the cat-goddess Bastet and was an important center from the Old Kingdom until the end of the Roman Period. Archeologists are still digging on the location for the rest of the statue.