An extraordinary discovery in Egypt has brought together ancient history and modern scholarship. A team co-led by Dr. Yvona Trnka-Amrhein, a classics researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder, unearthed the upper portion of a massive pharaonic statue. This find remarkably coincides with the lower half of the same statue, discovered nearly a century ago.
The colossal statue depicts Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, one of Egypt’s most renowned pharaohs. Immortalized in Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem “Ozymandias,” Ramesses II’s reign left an indelible mark on Egyptian history.
The story begins in 1930 when German archaeologist Günther Roeder unearthed the lower half of this very statue. Fast forward to 2022, and Dr. Trnka-Amrhein, an expert in papyri, finds herself leading an excavation in the ruins of Hermopolis, Egypt. While her initial focus was on researching papyri, a chance encounter with archaeologist Basem Gehad led to a thrilling discovery.
“We knew it might be there, but we weren’t specifically looking for it,” says Dr. Trnka-Amrhein, reflecting on the serendipitous nature of the find. The unearthed upper half, measuring 12.5 feet long, depicts the pharaoh seated and adorned with a royal headdress. Researchers estimate the complete statue would have stood an impressive 23 feet tall.
The discovery wasn’t just about the statue itself. The collaboration between Dr. Trnka-Amrhein, a classics scholar, and Mr. Gehad, an archaeologist specializing in the Greco-Roman period, exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary research. This teamwork not only unearthed a lost piece of history but also revealed traces of ancient pigment on the statue, offering valuable insights into the artistic practices of the time.
“It will be quite exciting to have a scientific analysis of the pigment,” Dr. Trnka-Amrhein emphasizes. Analyzing the paint and the surrounding soil holds the potential to unlock further details about the statue’s creation and the broader historical context.
The rediscovery of the statue’s upper half has reignited discussions about its future. The lower half remains at the excavation site, and a proposal for reunification is underway. The final resting place of the complete statue, whether it remains at the site or finds a home in a museum, is yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, Dr. Trnka-Amrhein and her team are delving deeper into their research. They plan to publish a paper on their findings later this year and hope to involve more CU Boulder graduate students in this ongoing project.
Dr. Trnka-Amrhein’s journey reflects the spirit of the Classics Department at CU Boulder. “It’s a place where everyone is willing to think outside the box,” she remarks. This discovery serves as a testament to the power of collaboration, serendipity, and a thirst for knowledge that transcends traditional boundaries. The unearthed statue stands not just as a monument to a pharaoh but also as a symbol of the enduring pursuit of historical understanding.