Ramses II bust found in Egypt

Archaeologists have found the bust of pharaoh Ramses II in Egypt's Nile Delta, Culture Minister Faruq Hosni said Wednesday, bringing experts closer to finding a temple belonging to the king.

The red granite bust, which formed part of a colossal statue of the king, was found during routine excavations in the Tell Basta area, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Cairo in the Nile Delta, Hosni said in a statement.

"The head is 76 cm high (around 30 inches), the nose is broken, and the false beard that was once attached to the king's chin is missing," antiquities supremo Zahi Hawass said.

"The discovery is important because it may indicate that the excavators are close to the ruins of a major temple of Ramses II in the area," Hawass said.

Tell Basta is going through a major development plan, according to Egyptian officials, who say that a museum and a visitor's centre are currently under construction in the area.

Ramses II reigned over Egypt for about 68 years, from 1304 to 1237 BC, and is believed to have lived to the age of 90.

He covered the country with monuments to his exploits. His mummy, on display in Cairo's National Museum, is one of the country's biggest tourist attractions.

CAIRO, Friday, AFP