Cairo - Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a pink granite head, believed to Portray that of King Ramses II, in the Nile Delta town of Tell Basta northeast of Cairo, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) said on Wednesday.

The 76 cm-high head belongs to a colossal statue of the king that once stood in the area, SCA chief Zahi Hawas said, adding that researchers discovered the statue 1.5 metres below ground.

"This discovery is important because it may indicate that the excavators are close to the ruins of a major temple of Ramses II in the area," Hawas said.

The nose of the statue was broken, and the beard that was once attached to the king's chin was missing.

Archaeologists were still excavating around the site hoping to find the rest of the statue and possible remains of a temple built by the ancient Egyptian 19th dynasty Pharaoh, Hawas said.

Hawas said the size of the head indicated it belonged to one of the Ramses statues estimated to be four-and-a-half metres tall.

A development plan for Tell Basta is being implemented to turn the site into an open museum.

A large statue of Meritamun, daughter of Ramses II who went on also to hold the title of Great Royal Wife, was discovered there two years ago and is being renovated.