Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said the work was carried out under the supervision of the SCA, with specialists reassembling the statue’s face and head, which had long been separated from the royal headcloth, or “nemes.”
He added that the restored head has been installed on a stone base at the entrance to the temple’s second pylon, positioned to make it clearly visible to visitors.
The face, measuring about 67cm and weighing roughly 300 kilograms, was discovered in 1994 in the temple’s first courtyard and later moved into storage for conservation and study. Analysis later confirmed that it belonged to a previously identified “nemes” headcloth, prompting the latest restoration effort.
Sameh Iskandar, head of the mission, said the face was found in relatively good condition, retaining traces of red and yellow pigment as well as part of the royal beard. The “nemes,” which weighs about one tonne, also preserves remnants of its original colouring and parts of the uraeus cobra.
He added that earlier excavations in the 1994–1995 seasons uncovered additional parts of the statue, including its legs and base. Further fragments have since been identified, and excavation work is expected to continue to fully reconstruct the statue.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy sees that the work reflects the ministry’s strategy to safeguard Egypt’s antiquities while enhancing their presentation for visitors. He noted that collaboration with international missions continues to play a key role in reviving important elements of archaeological sites and enriching the visitor experience, particularly in historically significant locations such as Abydos
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