In Ramses' footsteps

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The 3,200 year old red granite statue of Ramses II, discovered in 1882 in the Great Temple of Ptah, in ancient Memphis, had become a famous landmark of Cairo where it was moved to ornate the city's famous railway station square since 1955. The statue had been standing there for more than 50 years, but gradually - same as Cairenes - it suffered from the exponential growth of the city, its deafening noise and threatening pollution. Tests on the invaluable monument revealed that 12 types of polluting materials had accumulated over its surface, including dust, carbon, lead and oxides. Heavy traffic was becoming a constant source of vibrations which together with rising water tables had become serious threats to its endurance. Furthermore, flyovers and pedestrian walkways had made it hard for people to see the eleven meter statue in all its splendor. After lengthy studies the government decided to move it away from the dangers of the city to its outskirts, to a healthier environment. The safe journey of the 83 tons' statue to its new destination was guaranteed, but its isolation from the city centre has deprived the metropolis' 20 million inhabitants and visitors from the privilege of its majestic presence. The saddest part of the story is that nobody noticed it was no longer there!