Statue of Pharaoh Neferhotep was hidden in Karnak temple

Written by Felgr Pavel on .

Statue of Pharaoh Neferhotep I was founded by a team of French archaeologist. Neferhotep I was a ruler of 13th dynasty in 18th and 17th century BC (in Second Intermediate period). The historians don’t know much about this dynasty, so they hope that the stone artefact could bring new information of its members’ life.

Limestone statue of Neferhotep I, which is 1.8 meters high, has been hidden under sand in temple complex in Karnak for almost 3,600 years. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, revealed that the statue was discovered several weeks ago and is well preserved. Though, it hasn’t been completely unearthed yet, because of ancient gate remains, which the archaeologists don’t want to harm.

Zahi Hawass further said that the statue stands in water, so it couldn’t be unearthed up to winter, when water move back. "Most likely we leave the statue, where it is now and will found a small museum at it. If we extricate the artefact, we could damage the temple." explained Hawass.

Neferhotep I, whose name means „beautiful and good“, was son of temple priest in Abydos (Abdju). The appearance of the Pharaoh was known of the only statue up to now. It was unearthed in 1904 and is exhibited in Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Neferhotep I.

Neferhotep I.

Message from the Nile

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