The ancient colossus of Egypt’s famed pharaoh Ramses II has been placed at the entrance of a museum under construction near the country’s famed pyramids outside the capital Cairo.
The placement of the colossus, announced by Egypt’s Antiquities Ministry, which weighs over 80 tons and is some 12 metres high, occurred amid a great deal of fanfare and in the presence of Western and Egyptian officials.
The colossus, which dates back some 3,300 years, will be on display at the entrance of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which will house some of Egypt’s most unique and precious ancient artefacts, including some belonging to famed boy King Tutankhamun.
Another 87 artefacts will be placed at the museum’s entrance, Egypt’s antiquities minister Khaled al-Anani said.
The first phase of the museum will be inaugurated later this year.
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