1.
GV. EXCAVATION SITE: DIGGINGS IN PROGRESS.
0.05

2.
GTV. WORKERS DIG IN PART OF EXCAVATED TEMPLE.
0.12

3.
GTV. PART OF EXCAVATED TEMPLE.
0.20

4.
STV. ARCHAEOLOGIST READS INSCRIPTION ON PART OF TEMPLE.
0.23

5.
GTV. EXCAVATED STATUE OF RAMESES II EXAMINED.
0.31

6.
SV & CU.. HEAD OF RAMESES II
0.39

7.
SV. ARCHAEOLOGISTS EXAMINE STATUE.
0.44

8.
SV. ARCHAEOLOGIST TRIES TO ASSEMBLE PART OF STATUE
0.47

9.
CU. HAND OF RAMESES II
0.52

10.
CU.PAN.. ORNAMENTATION AROUND NECK OF STATUE.
0.56

11.
GV. ARCHAEOLOGIST EXAMINES STATUE.
1.00



Initials JRG/S/MGT/FG



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: EGYPTIAN ARCHAEOLOGISTS CARRYING OUT EXCAVATIONS IN THE SAKKARA DISTRICT, GIZA PROVINCE - A NOTED AREA OF DISCOVERY OF THE MONUMENTS OF ANCIENT EGYPT - THIS MONTH DUG UP IN A TEMPLE A HUGE GRANITE STATUE OF RAMESES II, SOME THREE-THOUSAND YEARS OLD.

EXCAVATIONS WERE CONTINUING JAN 16 FOR TWO OTHER GRANITE STATUES OF THE PHARAOH IN THE SAME TEMPLE. THE SAKKARA SITE IS SOME THREE MILES WEST OF THE NILE AND 15 MILES SOUTH OF CAIRO.

THE PHARAOH, NOTED FOR HIS MILITARY EXPLOITS, WON HIS GREATEST REPUTATION AS A BUILDER OF ANCIENT EGYPT. HIS TEMPLE BUILDINGS 500 MILES DOWN THE NILE AT ABU SIMBEL - ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD - WILL BECOME ENGULFED BY THE NILE WATERS DIVERTED INTO THE RESERVOIR OF THE ASWAN HIGH DAM.

RAMESES II'S THIRD REPUTATION WAS LARGELY DUE TO EFFACING THE NAMES OF HIS PREDECESSORS FROM THEIR STATUES AND ATTACHING HIS OWN.