View of both statues of the Colossi of Memnon, with one of them being completely covered in scaffolding

These are 2 magnificent statues, constructed around the period of 1350 BC. The statues were those of the pharaoh of that time, meant to be at the entry gates of a huge temple. However, over a period of time, the periodic flooding caused by the Nile totally destroyed the temple, leaving no traces behind. Even the statues have been damaged by various events including earthquakes.