Giant Anubis Statue Unearthed and Prepared for Transport in Desert

In an extraordinary archaeological breakthrough, a colossal black stone statue of Anubis — the jackal-headed deity of the ancient Egyptian afterlife — has been unearthed in a previously unexplored area of the Egyptian desert. The discovery has drawn immediate global attention, with experts calling it one of the most significant finds related to Egypt’s funerary traditions in recent years.

The statue, carved from a single massive slab of dark basalt or obsidian-like stone, stands nearly 15 feet (4.5 meters) tall. Anubis, traditionally depicted as a guardian of tombs and guide of souls to the afterlife, is portrayed in a powerful upright posture, his muscular form adorned with ceremonial garb and a headdress. The craftsmanship is striking, with detailed engravings and perfectly preserved hieroglyphics running down the statue’s base and back.

Despite spending centuries buried beneath layers of sand and sediment, the monument shows minimal erosion. The level of preservation has stunned archaeologists, who attribute it to both the arid desert conditions and the quality of stone used.

Excavation teams, working under intense desert heat and tight security, are now in the process of carefully preparing the statue for transport. Using a combination of cranes, stabilizing supports, and reinforced platforms, the team is methodically lifting the monument onto a specially modified vehicle. Nearby, cameras from local and international media outlets capture the moment, while drones hover overhead to document the statue’s scale and setting from above.

Dr. Samir El-Rawi, lead archaeologist on the site, stated, “This discovery could represent part of a lost necropolis — a sacred site dedicated to death rituals and the worship of Anubis. The presence of such a large, masterfully carved statue suggests this area was of immense spiritual significance in ancient times.”

Further surveys of the surrounding area have revealed signs of underground structures, tomb entrances, and potential chambers, hinting that the Anubis statue may have once stood at the entrance of a vast, forgotten mortuary complex. Archaeologists are now planning to expand the excavation area to explore these possibilities.

The statue will be temporarily housed in a secure facility where conservators will assess its condition, conduct cleaning, and prepare it for eventual display — possibly in the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza or a newly planned exhibit dedicated to the afterlife in ancient Egypt.

As researchers begin to analyze the hieroglyphic inscriptions and study the context of the site, this discovery may offer unprecedented insight into how the ancient Egyptians understood death, burial, and divine protection in the journey beyond.