Evidence for a temple of Ramses II discovered in Egypt

Blocks covered with hieroglyphic writing at the Matariya site near Heliopolis in Egypt bear evidence for existence of a temple of Pharaoh Ramses II.

Hieroglyphic writing on the blocks from Matariya (by Ahram Online)
Hieroglyphic writing on the blocks from Matariya (by Ahram Online)

The evidence was found about 450 metres to the west of the obelisk of King Senusret I in Matariya. It was discovered when the mission stumbled upon a number of blocks from the temple courtyards and fragments of the temple statuary. The depictions showing Ramses II anointing a divinity. His name is rendered by a rather rare variant “Paramessu”. Further groups of relief fragments attest that King Ramses II was the builder of this temple. Other discoveries in the area include faience amulets and metals.

Detail of the blocks from Matariya (by Ahram Online)
Detail of the blocks from Matariya (by Ahram Online)

According to the experts, the new finds confirm the hypothesis that Ramses II showed special interest in Heliopolis in the later decades of his long reign of almost 70 years.

(after Ahram Online)

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