The sun temple shines in Cairo

King Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. ( biografiasyvidas ) Archaeologists have discovered a solar temple with huge statues believed to be by Ramses II, located beneath a bustling market in Cairo, Egypt.

This is the largest sun temple ever found in the city, where the ancient city of Heliopolis - the center of sun worship - once reigned, the leading archaeologist Zahi Hawass said.

Among the creatures found there is a 4-5 ton pink granite statue with features that look like King Ramses II. There is also a humanoid statue sitting 1.5 m high, with 3 oval rings with a pharaoh's name and title, and a human head weighing 3 tons. The temple's blue stone background was also revealed.

A group of Egyptian researchers working with the German Archaeological Foundation discovered the area below Souq al-Khamis, a famous market in eastern Cairo.

King Ramses II, ruling Egypt from 1270 to 1213 BC, erected buildings along the Nile to record his victories, and many other temples, including the famous Abu Simbel, near where is the southern border of Egypt now.

MT