The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone status of the pharaoh Amenhotep III (1386-1353 BCE) from the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt. which stand at the front of the ruined Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III, the largest temple in the Theban Necropolis. The statues contain 107 Roman-era inscriptions in Greek and Latin, dated to between AD 20 and 250.
They are made of quartzite stones, which were quarried at el-Gabal el-Ahmar since 1350 B.C
They are 18 meters high and each one of them weighs 720 Tonnes. They are carved from single blocks of sandstone.
The two statues represent king Amenhotep III wearing the royal headdress of the Nemes, protected by the divine cobra. There are two small figures carved into the front part of the statues that represent his wife Tiye and mother Mutemwiy.
king Amenhotep III
According to the great Greek Mythology, Memnon, who is the mortal son of Eos, the goddess of Dawn, was slain by Achilles. The two statues were also believed to be singing statues probably because an earthquake shattered the upper part of them. Which cause noise every day at dawn from the statues. Many theories have been said about the mystery of the sound of the two statues and till today. It remains a confusing and a mysterious matter.
We offer a day tour Valley of the Kings tour, Hatshepsut & Memnon