The King's Monologue

Reconstructing Ramses II

Selection of Source Material

Three colossal stone heads in a desert landscape, with a person examining one of the sculptures. The heads appear to represent ancient figures, showcasing incomplete or unfinished carvings.
Black and white photograph of the colossal statues at Abu Simbel, featuring a large seated figure of Ramesses II alongside a standing figure, with intricate carvings visible on the rock surface.
Colossal statues of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel, carved into the rock face, showcasing detailed features and symbolic representation of the pharaoh.
Colossi of Ramses ii
Close-up of a colossal statue representing Ramesses II, showcasing the king's facial features including a strong nasal bridge, high cheekbones, and a rounded tip of the nose. The image highlights the detailed stone carving and the ancient Egyptian artistic style.
Colossal statue of Ramesses II with detailed facial features, including a strong nasal bridge, adorned headdress, and inscriptions, set against a clear blue sky.
Close-up of a stone statue representing a pharaoh, showcasing detailed facial features such as a strong nasal bridge, high cheekbones, and full cheeks, with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs in the background.
Colossal granite statue of an ancient Egyptian ruler, depicting a figure with a prominent headdress and holding symbols of power, displayed in a museum setting.
Sculpture of a pharaoh's face with a headpiece, displaying detailed features and a slight smile, made from sandstone.
Statues of Ramses II

Selection of primary sources for reconstructing the face of Ramesses II drew exclusively from his authentic contemporary portraiture. This included colossal statues such as those at Abu Simbel, the colossal bust in the British Museum, and smaller but consistently detailed representations in temples and monumental reliefs. Painted depictions from his reign were also considered, particularly those preserving the reddish-brown skin tone associated with royal figures of the 19th Dynasty.

These artefacts showed a remarkable consistency in their depiction of the king’s facial structure, including the shape of his eyes, nasal bridge, mouth, cheekbones, and jawline. The positioning, proportions, and stylistic execution across these works demonstrated a strong adherence to a real, recognisable physiognomy, making them reliable for direct use in reconstruction.

Restoration of Damaged Artefacts

The mummy of Ramesses II is not a reference artefact and cannot be treated as a primary source for reconstructing his appearance. Mummification causes distortion and disproportion of soft tissue, making the preserved face no more representative of the living pharaoh than a modern mummy would resemble a photograph of the living person.

3D reconstruction of Ramesses II depicted in profile, showcasing facial features including a pronounced nasal bridge, high cheekbones, and traditional Egyptian attire.
3D reconstruction of Ramesses II, showing facial features with a strong nasal bridge, high cheekbones, and full cheeks. The figure has a reddish-brown skin tone and wears a colorful collar.
Illustration of Ramesses II in ceremonial attire on the left, alongside a photograph of his mummy on the right.
Side-by-side comparison of a mummy reconstruction of Ramesses II and two artistic interpretations depicting his potential appearance.
Eurocentric reconstructions directly referenced from distorted soft mummy tissues and a fake prop head

However, the mummy has been the subject of repeated Eurocentric reconstructions that portray Ramesses II with a crooked, elongated, hooked nose. None of his authentic contemporary portraiture supports this feature. The purpose of addressing the mummy’s damaged nose in this study was not to reconstruct the pharaoh’s face from it, but to debunk the hooked nose caricatures that pass for reconstruction in order to demonstrate that such Eurocentric portrayals are inaccurate.

Highlighted text discussing the examination of brain residues and embalming techniques in royal mummies, including references to Ramesses II and others.
CT scan image showing the head of Ramesses II, highlighting areas filled with embalming materials and the nasal cavity.
Three-dimensional CT images of the head of a pharaoh in frontal projection and side profile, revealing facial features and details of mummification.
CT scan of Ramses II

CT scan evidence confirms that during embalming, the nasal bridge was deliberately broken in the process of transnasal craniotomy. The cavity was packed with plant seeds, resin, and small bone fragments to prevent collapse, resulting in a post-mortem shape never seen in life.

Close-up view of a colossal statue of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, showcasing detailed facial features including a strong nasal bridge, rounded tip, and prominent cheekbones.
Close-up view of a carved stone bust of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, depicting a broad forehead, strong nose, and high cheekbones with hieroglyphics visible in the background.
Profile view of a stone statue depicting a pharaoh, showcasing distinct facial features and a headdress.
Colossal statue of Ramesses II, depicting the pharaoh with a strong facial structure, including a prominent nasal bridge and a rounded tip, showcasing ancient Egyptian artistry with hieroglyphs visible on the chest.

Actual artefacts from Ramesses II’s reign consistently depict a strong nasal bridge with a rounded tip, never hooked. The colossal bust in the British Museum and statues at Abu Simbel provide clear examples of the correct nasal profile. These portraits confirm the rounded tip and solid bridge, disproving reconstructions derived from the mummy’s damaged state.

Phenotype Analysis

A collage showcasing four profile images of individuals alongside ancient Egyptian reliefs and sculptures, highlighting similarities in facial features.

The facial structure of Ramesses II as seen in his authentic portraiture aligns closely with living African phenotypes. Comparisons were made to individuals and ethnic groups whose physiognomy matches the king’s depicted features, reinforcing the reconstruction’s accuracy.

A black and white portrait of a young African man in formal attire, wearing a suit and tie, with short, neat hair and a confident expression.
Colossal stone bust of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, showcasing a well-defined facial structure with high cheekbones, a strong nasal bridge, and a rounded tip. The sculpture reflects the artistry and cultural significance of the 19th Dynasty.
King Mutesa II and a statue of Ramses II

Prominent examples included rulers of Buganda such as King Mutesa I and King Mutesa II. The latter’s nose bridge, cheekbones, eye shape, and triangular facial taper bear strong similarity to Ramesses II’s statues. Additional parallels were drawn to Afar populations and certain East African individuals whose features correspond with the pharaoh’s portraiture.

Profile view of a man with tribal-style curly hair, standing outdoors with a natural landscape in the background.
Close-up of a stone statue depicting the profile of a pharaoh, featuring distinctive facial features such as high cheekbones, a strong nasal bridge, and a serene expression.
A portrait of a young man with long, curly hair and a distinctive facial expression, wearing a patterned garment. He has a leaf or stick in his mouth, positioned against a clear blue sky.
A detailed granite statue of a pharaoh wearing a crown and holding a scepter, showcasing intricate carvings and facial features characteristic of ancient Egyptian art.


Profile portrait of a woman with short hair styled in a traditional manner, adorned with beads. She is wearing large, ornate earrings and has a serious expression. The image captures her ethnic features and cultural attire.
Photograph identified as a Zulu lady

These living examples illustrate that the facial traits portrayed in Ramesses II’s time — broad yet defined nasal bridge, rounded nose tip, high cheekbones, and full cheeks — remain present among African populations today.

Overlay Technique

A comparison image featuring a young African man on the left, a digital reconstruction of Ramesses II in the center, and a statue of Ramesses II on the right, showcasing the alignment of facial features.
Close-up of a colossal statue of Ramesses II, showcasing his distinct facial features, including a strong nasal bridge, rounded tip of the nose, high cheekbones, and full cheeks.
Overlay transition between primary portraiture and reconstruction

The reconstruction employed precise photographic overlays of statues and reliefs to ensure accurate proportions. Straight-on, distortion-free photographs of primary portraiture were aligned to match anatomical landmarks, including eye sockets, nasal bridge, mouth, and jawline.
This process ensured that the contours and proportions of the king’s face were preserved exactly as in his own era’s depictions. AI rendering tools were used only to flesh out realistic textures and lifelike lighting, with all structural information coming from the overlays of primary sources.
Comparison overlays between the reconstruction and the colossal bust in the British Museum demonstrated near-perfect alignment, confirming that the model adhered strictly to the original ancient portraits.

Historical and Anthropological Context

Ramesses II reigned during Egypt’s 19th Dynasty, a period marked by strong cultural and biological connections with the Nile Valley and East African populations. His monuments, including those at Abu Simbel, were not only political and religious symbols but also consistent visual records of his appearance.

The relocation of the Abu Simbel temples during the construction of the Aswan High Dam was a landmark moment in modern archaeology. The colossal statues of the seated king from this site remain among the clearest and most monumental portrayals of his likeness.

Broader historical considerations included the long-standing African identity of the Nile Valley royal lineage and the selective publication of DNA results for pharaonic mummies. The lack of released genetic data for Ramesses II, in contrast to selective publication for other royals, has been seen as intentional avoidance of confirming African affinities.

Iterative Refinement

Portrait of an individual with a smooth complexion, wearing a necklace of colorful beads, showcasing high cheekbones and dark eyes, presented against a dark background.
First iteration of Ramses II.
Reconstruction of Ramesses II, showcasing distinct facial features, including a strong nasal bridge, rounded nose tip, and high cheekbones. The figure wears a pharaoh's ceremonial headdress with intricate detailing.
A portrait of a young man with a smooth complexion, wearing traditional African jewelry and clothing, featuring intricate beadwork and vibrant colors.
A portrait of a young African man with prominent facial features, including high cheekbones, a rounded nose, and dark skin. He wears traditional jewelry and garments, reflecting cultural heritage.
Near sided perspective of young Ramses II iterations
A realistic digital reconstruction of a male figure depicting Ramesses II, showcasing features like a strong nasal bridge, rounded tip of the nose, high cheekbones, and full cheeks, wearing traditional attire.
Realistic depiction of an African pharaoh adorned in elaborate ceremonial attire, featuring a patterned headdress and layered necklace.
Middle aged Ramses II
A close-up portrait of an elderly African man with smooth skin, high cheekbones, and a slight smile. He is adorned with traditional jewelry and colorful beads, wearing a patterned shawl. The background is dark, emphasizing his facial features and expressions.
A close-up portrait of an elderly African man with prominent facial features, wearing traditional jewelry and a colorful patterned garment.
A digital reconstruction of Ramesses II, featuring a strong nasal bridge, rounded nose tip, high cheekbones, and wearing a pharaoh headdress with a cobra. The figure displays a reddish-brown skin tone and intricate jewelry.
Elderly Ramses II iterations

The reconstruction process produced multiple age-stage versions of Ramesses II, including youthful, middle-aged, and elderly models. Youthful and middle-aged versions were developed directly from the primary contemporary portraiture using the overlay technique. The elderly version was created by applying ageing algorithms from specialist software to the younger reconstruction, with proportional accuracy preserved throughout. This aged model was validated by confirming that broad anatomical landmarks — including orbital placement, nasal bridge axis, and jaw proportions — aligned with the mummy’s structure. The alignment served only to confirm proportional consistency between the reconstruction and the skeletal framework.

Side-by-side comparison of the mummy of Ramesses II and a reconstruction depicting his possible appearance as a living pharaoh.
Elderly Ramses II and his desiccated mummy

Final Presentation

Ramses II smiles again
Close-up portrait of a young African male with smooth skin, dark hair, and traditional beaded jewelry around the neck, displaying gentle facial features.
Close-up portrait of a young man with smooth skin, wearing traditional Maasai attire and multiple beaded necklaces, showing distinct facial features including a broad nose and high cheekbones.
Portrait of a young individual wearing traditional African jewelry, showcasing smooth skin, large expressive eyes, and a serious expression.
A digital reconstruction of Ramesses II, showcasing his facial features including a strong nasal bridge, high cheekbones, and full cheeks. The character has thick, curly hair and is adorned with elaborate ancient jewelry, reflecting the specific characteristics identified in contemporary portraiture.
A reconstruction of a young pharaoh, showcasing a strong facial structure with high cheekbones, a strong nasal bridge, and a rounded tip, adorned in elaborate Egyptian regalia.
A young male figure wearing a traditional Egyptian headdress and ornate necklaces, with a smooth complexion and neutral expression, reflecting ancient Egyptian styles.
Realistic portrayal of a man with African features, showcasing a strong jawline, high cheekbones, and short, dark hair. He wears traditional attire with intricate beadwork around his neck.
A digitally rendered portrait of Ramesses II, featuring a strong facial structure with a rounded nose tip, high cheekbones, and slightly bulbous eyes. He is adorned with traditional pharaonic attire, including a patterned headdress and layered necklaces, against a dark background.
Elderly African individual with distinct facial features, wearing traditional jewelry and clothing, showcasing wisdom and a warm expression.
Close-up portrait of an elderly African man with a calm expression, wearing traditional jewelry and clothing, showcasing braided hair and a warm skin tone.
Ramses II is believed to have been one of the longest lived rulers of Kemet. Joining his ancestors between the age of 94 to 96.

The completed reconstruction presented Ramesses II with the facial features consistently shown in his own time: a strong nasal bridge with a rounded tip, high cheekbones, full cheeks, slightly bulbous eyes, and a triangular taper from eyes to chin. Skin tone was rendered as the reddish-brown seen in contemporary painted depictions, and hair was shown as wiry and white in the elderly iteration, consistent with African hair texture at advanced age, with some versions featuring subtle henna-red tinting.

Placed alongside statues, colossal busts, and reliefs, the reconstruction matched the ancient portraits precisely. The work countered Eurocentric portrayals by restoring the authentic African phenotype preserved in Ramesses II’s own monuments.

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Contributed By

Ibinabo Kennedy Willie

Medical laboratory Scientist who enjoys writing about history
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Responses

  1. Gary Varga avatar
    Gary Varga

    While the pharaohs were definitely not white, they were also definitely not black, you change a misconception – probably deriving from the fact that the entire Ptolemaic dynasty was greek AKA south European, which includes Cleopatra as well – with a straight up lie. There was a black dynasty, which is pretty sure, but they were clearly – as the sources proove – of Nubian origin

    Reply
    1. Andrew A. King avatar
      Andrew A. King

      I think you have a knowledge issue. First of all, no one is making any kind of claim that the Ptolemaic Dynasty were black. As you correct asserted, Kemet had numerous foreign dynasties, beginning with the first intermediary, then the Hyksos, the Persians, the aforementioned Nubians, the late period ‘hodge podge’ of semi asiatic rulers, and then finally the Hellenistic rulers (Ptolemaic and Roman). Everyone is aware that they existed, and their ethnicity certainly reflected the ethnographics of their geolocation at the time. Also, yes, the Nubians were a native African Dynasty, as was every Pre dynastic, Old, Middle and New Kingdom lineage – both are entirely indigenous and entirely African. I think that’s the point you are missing, and hence applying an anachronistic lens of a substantially more Afrocentric people. Egyptians having black enemies/conquerors for a period of time during it’s history doesn’t disqualify them from belonging to the same ethno-soci-cultural group as that said group. This is not unique, but rather an incredibly common phenomena, which are witnessing even in modern times with the Russia/Ukraine conflict. It is actually a minority of wars historically that are thought on a binary racial vertical. Most conflicts involve people of similar ethnicity reaching a political disagreement. Hope that helps.

      Reply

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