Egypt gets missing bits of ancient statues

Dating to roughly 1350 BC, the Colossi of Memnon are some of Egypt's oldest tourist attractions, drawing tourists since ancient times.

A team of German archaeologists has discovered missing pieces belonging to the famed Colossi of Memnon, the Egyptian minister of antiquities says.

The statues, dating to roughly 1350 BC, were damaged in an earthquake during the Roman era.

The colossi are some of Egypt's oldest tourist attractions, drawing tourists since ancient times.

The twin statues, each over 18 metres tall, are of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who was worshipped as a deity.

The statues are the only remains of a large temple built in memorial of the pharaoh.

Minister of Antiquities Mohammed Ibrahim said on Sunday the team made the discovery in co-operation with archaeologists from Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities.

He said the pieces belong to the belt of one statue, and the base of the other.


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Source: AAP

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