Egyptologist Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier has identified ancient "propaganda" supporting Ramesses II on the obelisk in Paris' Place de la Concorde. During a close examination in 2021, Olette-Pelletier discovered pro-Ramesses hieroglyphs on the 3,300-year-old obelisk, revealing hidden messages asserting Ramesses II's authority.
Olette-Pelletier identified seven cryptographies, or codes, dating back to 1280 B.C. These codes conveyed a message from Ramesses II to the Egyptian nobility, emphasizing his divine knowledge and legitimacy to avert a potential coup d'état. The cryptographies also claim Ramesses II provided the Nile flood, ensuring the country's wealth.
The discovery, made during restoration work for the 2024 Paris Olympics, highlights how Ramesses II used the obelisk to reinforce his power and divine status. By strategically placing these messages, Ramesses II aimed to sway the Egyptian elite and solidify his reign. The research is set to be published in the Egyptology journal ENiM.