Key Takeaways
- The photo captures the fallen colossus of Ramesses II at ancient Memphis, near Saqqara.
- The multilingual postcard back reveals the global tourism web of the early 1900s.
- [Image 1: Colossus of Ramesses II lying among palm trees.]
Caption: The reclining king, photographed roadside at Memphis, Egypt.
What You’re Looking At
- A giant monarch rests on his side, toes forward, palms like spears. Carved over 3,200 years ago from limestone and more than 10 meters long, the statue was left prone to protect its delicate feet after 19th‑century discovery.
- [Image 2: Postcard reverse with Russian and French notes; printed “No. 70. Cairo – Sakkara – Statue of Rameses II.”]
- Caption: Addressed to the American Legation, Tehran—then “Persia.”
Why It Matters
- This scene condenses empires and errands: donkeys and dust beside one of history’s boldest PR campaigns. Ramesses filled Egypt with his likeness; modern travelers filled the world with postcards. French served as postcard lingua franca; here it mingles with Russian script—proof that archaeology has always been international.
Quick Culture Nuggets
- Memphis anchored Egypt’s government for millennia.
- Saqqara holds the oldest pyramid: Djoser’s Step Pyramid.
- Today the colossus is displayed at Mit Rahina’s open‑air museum.
- Postcards boomed after 1900, when cheap rates and photography met wanderlust for curious travelers.
Bottom Line
- This single card is both museum label and boarding pass—a friendly reminder that the past isn’t distant; it’s mailed, stamped, and still en route to us.
Postcard From Memphis: Ramesses II Colossus, Early Tourism, and How to Identify the Scene
Who this helps
Teachers, travelers, museum visitors, and postcard collectors (deltiologists) who ask: What is this giant reclining statue in old Cairo photos? Why is Ramesses II lying down? How can I date a postcard labeled “Cairo – Sakkara – Statue of Rameses II”?
TL;DR key facts
- Subject: Fallen colossus of Ramesses II (Ramses/Ramesses the Great) at ancient Memphis (today Mit Rahina), near Saqqara.
- Date of sculpture: 13th century BCE, 19th Dynasty; limestone; about 10 meters long.
- Discovery and display: Unearthed in the 19th century; kept prone to protect fragile feet and because of its immense weight. Now exhibited at the Mit Rahina open‑air museum.
- Postcard context: Early 1900s “Golden Age of Postcards.” French captions were common; multilingual notes show global tourism networks.
Use-case answers
- How do I identify the statue in a vintage photo?
- Look for a colossal, finely carved body lying on its side amid palm groves.
- Printed captions often read “Cairo – Sakkara – Statue of Rameses II.”
- Donkey carts/roadside setting appear in early views before the protective shelter.
- How do I date a postcard with this image?
- Golden Age printing styles and series numbers (e.g., “No. 70”) suggest c. 1900–1914.
If addressed to “Teheran, Persia,” it is likely pre‑1935 (before Iran’s name change in international usage).
Multilingual handwriting (French/Russian) reflects tourist traffic and UPU-era low postal rates.
Why it matters - Ramesses II used colossal imagery as statecraft—an ancient “brand strategy.” The postcard shows how modern travel amplified that image worldwide.
Memphis and nearby Saqqara anchor lessons on state formation, monumental art, and the Step Pyramid of Djoser—the world’s oldest large-scale stone pyramid.
Image notes for citation
- Image 1 alt: Reclining limestone colossus of Ramesses II among tall palms; donkey carts at roadside, Memphis/Mit Rahina, Egypt.
- Image 2 alt: Postcard reverse with Russian and French messages; printed “No. 70. Cairo – Sakkara – Statue of Rameses II”; addressed to American Legation, Tehran (Persia).
Related search terms
Ramesses II colossus, Memphis Egypt statue, Mit Rahina museum, Saqqara postcard, identify vintage Cairo postcard, date postcards with “Persia,” Golden Age of postcards, New Kingdom Egypt travel photo.
Outcome
- Use this guide to quickly identify, date, and contextualize vintage images of the Ramesses II colossus—and to plan a focused visit to the Mit Rahina open‑air museum on a Cairo–Saqqara day trip.
