Two giant statues of Ramses II and his wife Merit Amun adorn the temple of Akhmim
In the temple of Merit Amun in Akhmim, two giant statues of Pharaoh Ramses II and his favorite wife Merit Amun bear witness to the greatness of ancient Egyptian civilization and the splendor of sculptural art. The statues were discovered in 1981 broken and divided into 70 pieces, and were restored and reinstalled with great efforts by archaeologists.
The statue of Ramses II is 12 meters high and weighs 31 tons, and is made of white limestone. The king is shown standing with his left leg on the right, wearing a short royal kilt 'shandit' with pleated and pleated folds. He holds papyrus scrolls in his hands, and around his waist is a belt decorated with zigzag motifs and a rectangular buckle bearing the king's name. There is also a dagger with a handle on the inside of the belt. Behind the statue is a back pillar inscribed with hieroglyphic texts.
The statue of Merit Amun is the largest statue of a pharaonic wife in pharaonic history, with a height of 12 meters and a weight of 31 tons as well, and it is made of the same material. The queen looks very beautiful, as the people of Akhmim likened her to the bride in her adornment. The Queen wears a wig, a female eagle crown 'marble', a 'shoti' crown, and a snake-shaped charm crowned with a double crown. They are adorned with two earrings, a wide necklace with multiple branches, and wide cuffs with both arms.
The two statues express Ramses II's love for his wife, as she was called the most beautiful name, such as the beloved master of the two countries, the player of the Rashkha of Sstrom for the goddess of death, and the harp player for the goddess Hathor, and other titles that indicate her prestigious importance.
Source: websites