Massive head of famous Egyptian pharaoh unearthed

A colossal red granite head of one of Egypt's most famous pharaohs has been unearthed in the southern city of Luxor.

The 3,000-year-old head of Amenhotep III - grandfather of Tutankhamun - was dug out of the ruins of the pharaoh's mortuary temple.

Experts say it is the best preserved example of the king's face ever found.


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The 2.5m (8ft) head is part of a larger statue, most of which was found several years ago.

"Other statues have always had something broken - the tip of the nose, or the face is eroded," said Dr Hourig Sourouzian, who has led the Egyptian-European expedition at the site.

"But here, from the top of the crown to the chin, it is so beautifully carved and polished, nothing is broken."