Aswan's Unfinished Obelisk: Engineering Feats and Mysteries

The unfinished obelisk, the largest obelisk ever attempted, lies abandoned in a granite quarry near Aswan, Egypt. A testament to the Origin of Obelisks and one of the most fascinating mysteries of ancient Egyptian engineering. It reveals the challenges of carving such massive stone monuments and sparks theories about how to cut and transport such a massive yet slim piece of granite, always crafted from a single block.

Why was the unfinished obelisk in Aswan abandoned?

 

The Construction of the Unfinished Obelisk was commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt's most powerful female rulers, who reigned from 1490 to 1468 BC. It was supposed to be larger, measuring 41.75 meters (137 feet) in height and weighing 1,090 tonnes (1,200 short tons), making it the largest obelisk ever created by the ancient Egyptians.

However, the project was halted when a large crack appeared in the granite, rendering the obelisk unusable. This raises the question, Why Was the Obelisk Left Unfinished? The workers abandoned the obelisk in its quarry, leaving it partially attached to the bedrock. The reasons for the crack are unknown, but some possible causes are geological faults, thermal stress, or human error.

 

How old is the unfinished obelisk in Aswan?

 

The unfinished obelisk dates back to the 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt, which lasted from 1550 to 1292 BC. It is estimated that the obelisk was carved around 1450 BC, during the reign of Hatshepsut. The obelisk is, therefore, about 3,500 years old.

 

 

Who built the unfinished obelisk in Aswan?

 

The History of the Unfinished Obelisk reveals that skilled craftsmen built it in teams and supervised it by overseers. Evidence suggests they were paid workers rather than slaves with access to food, water, shelter, and medical care. Their pride is evident in the names or nicknames they left on the granite surface.

 The workers came from various ethnic groups and regions of Egypt, as shown by their names and dialects. Some may have been Nubians, renowned for their stoneworking and quarrying expertise in southern Egypt and Sudan.

How long is the unfinished obelisk in Aswan

The Size and Scale of the Unfinished Obelisk is truly remarkable. Measuring 41.75 meters (137 feet) in length, 4.2 meters (13.8 feet) wide at its base, and 3.6 meters (11.8 feet) wide at its top, it features a rectangular cross-section with four slightly concave sides. Experts estimate it would have taken approximately seven months to carve it out of the bedrock.

Where did Obelisk go outside Egypt?

Other Obelisks in Egypt have also experienced remarkable journeys. Many ancient Egyptian obelisks were taken outside Egypt by various conquerors and rulers who admired their beauty and symbolism. Within Egypt, pharaohs relocated some to adorn temples or cities, while others were lost or destroyed due to natural disasters or human actions.

The most famous destination for ancient Egyptian obelisks outside Egypt is Rome, Italy. There are 13 ancient Egyptian obelisks in Rome, more than any other city worldwide. They were brought by various Roman emperors who wanted to display their power and prestige over Egypt. They were placed in prominent locations such as circuses, forums, squares, fountains, churches, and palaces.

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