“Half sunk a shattered visage lies” and amid the brick red sands an archaeological excavation is speedily underway.

The rich patron of the dig is eager for treasure but the mathematically minded Excavation Lead seeks a greater prize. Amongst the “colossal wreck”, signs of an ancient writing persist, and she hopes to discover the key to unravelling this long-lost language.

Who was this statue of?

Why did his empire fall?

and

What lies within the structure?

You tell the story of the past and the present at this enigmatic site!

Featuring:

⁃ the ability to overlay a transparent “Rosetta stone” over ancient writing stickers to reveal messages from the past

⁃ a working winch lift

⁃ Enter the statue through its cheek via string abseiling

⁃ Many literary artefacts, pottery and gems; with storage crates to ship them and statue fragments back to the museum safely packed with padding

⁃ The skeleton of the statue’s sculptor

⁃ Extra chamber within the arm of the statue, hinting at astral ambitions

⁃ Scaffolding and pathways to explore the excavation

⁃ Wagon to transport goods and employees

⁃ 9 minifigures: the excavation lead, his Lordship the dig patron, the museum liaison, the wagon driver and 5 workers

⁃ Watch out, with additional bandanas and disguises, 2 of the work force can be employed by someone… sinister

⁃ A fully detailed base camp to plan your dig, including sketches of site discoveries, a sleeping tent, an old boiling stove and tea area

This model is largely based around interesting angles, with a strong feature on the Pythagorean triangle to add extra interest. Beyond this the unique red rocks colour scheme provided a heightened reality for this grand excavation.

Despite drawing influence from the archaeology boom of the early 1900’s this model champions true learning over treasure hunting, as well as framing antiquity theft in a negative light.

The main inspirations are the Rosetta Stone, classic Lego play themes, and of course the poem Ozymandias, by Percy Bryce Shelly. The poem discusses the cruel irony of power and how no ruler outlasts the sands of time.

Who really has the power, king or sculptor?

What remains of a legacy once those who remember you are gone?

and

How many stories lie behind the statue in the sand?

I hope this is a striking piece that embodies the themes of the poem in some small way, as well as harkening back to the mysteries of the ancient world long covered by “the lone and level sands that stretch far away”.