Statue of Pharaoh Ramses II uncovered

TAL BASTA, Egypt, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- German archaeologists working in Egypt say they have uncovered a stature of King Ramses II, one of the most significant rulers in Egyptian history.

The 8-foot granite statue, discovered at Tal Basta in Sharqiya, shows Ramses II sitting between the goddess Bastit and the god Atum, the Egypt Independent reported Monday.

Bastit was represented in the form of a cat and was worshiped at Tal Basta, while Atum, a pharaonic word for "perfect," was believed by ancient Egyptians to have created himself.

Adel Hussein, director of the Antiquities Ministry's Lower Egypt sector, said deep inscriptions with the king's name were found on the statue's back.

Ramses II ruled Egypt between 1304 and 1237 B.C.