description Unfinished Obelisk Overview
The Unfinished Obelisk is an ancient Egyptian monument located in a granite quarry in Aswan, Egypt. Had it been completed, it would have been the largest known ancient obelisk, measuring approximately 42 meters in length and weighing nearly 1,200 tons. The project was ordered by Hatshepsut, but the stone developed cracks during the carving process, leading to its abandonment. This site provides archaeologists and historians with direct evidence of the stone-working and quarrying techniques used by ancient Egyptian builders.
insights Ranking position
Unfinished Obelisk ranks #14 of 140 in the Monolith ranking, behind Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), ahead of Old Man of Storr.
help Unfinished Obelisk FAQ
Why was the Unfinished Obelisk abandoned at Aswan?
A major crack appeared in the granite while the monolith was being carved from the bedrock. The flaw made the stone unsuitable for raising, so workers left it attached to the quarry.
How large would the Unfinished Obelisk have been?
It would have measured roughly 42 meters and weighed well over 1,000 tonnes if completed. That would have made it substantially larger than any successfully erected ancient Egyptian obelisk.
What does the Unfinished Obelisk reveal about Egyptian stoneworking?
Tool marks and partially cut trenches show how workers separated enormous blocks from Aswan's granite bedrock. Archaeologists have linked much of this work to pounding stones made from hard dolerite.
Was the Unfinished Obelisk intended for Queen Hatshepsut?
It is commonly associated with Hatshepsut, whose reign included major obelisk projects at Karnak. The intended destination cannot be established with complete certainty because the monument was never inscribed or installed.
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