Around the Upper Egyptian city of Aswan are several ancient stone quarries, which were the source of Ancient Egypt's finest granite. Aswan was the source of ancient Egypt’s finest granite, used to make statues and embellish temples, pyramids and obelisks. Among these quarries lies a remarkable testament to the grand ambitions and intricate engineering of the ancient Egyptians: the Unfinished Obelisk.
The Unfinished Obelisk is located in a granite quarry in Aswan, within an area historically known for producing some of the finest granite used in ancient Egyptian architecture. This colossal obelisk, if completed, would have reached a height never reached, to be the largest ever built in Egypt. It is the largest known ancient obelisk, and it was intended to be 42 meters (138 feet) tall and weigh 1,168 tons.
The Unfinished Obelisk was discovered in the early twentieth century after it had been covered by sand for thousands of years. The obelisk and wider quarry were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 along with other examples of Upper Egyptian architecture, as part of the "Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae.
Commission and Abandonment
The Unfinished Obelisk was likely commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt's most prominent female pharaohs, who ruled during the 18th Dynasty (1478-1458 B.C.). As the wife of King Thutmose II and later a co-regent with her stepson, Thutmose III, Queen Hatshepsut reigned from 1478-1458 B.C., during which she initiated several grand architectural projects across Egypt. Its creation was possibly ordered by Hatshepsut, possibly to complement what would later be known as the Lateran Obelisk (which was originally at Karnak and was later brought to the Lateran Palace in Rome).
Had it have ever been erected, this obelisk would have been the largest one of Ancient Egypt and would have reached a stunning height of 42 meters. The unfinished obelisk is nearly one-third larger than any ancient Egyptian obelisk ever erected. If finished it would have measured around 42 meters and would have weighed nearly 1,168 tons. The largest finished obelisk, the Lateran Obelisk is 10 meters shorter than the Unfinished Obelisk, and today stands in Rome, Italy.
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However, the work on the Unfinished Obelisk had been abandoned due to clearly visible cracks that appeared in the granite. The obelisk's creators began to carve it directly out of bedrock, but cracks appeared in the granite and the project was abandoned. During the carving process, workers discovered multiple cracks in the granite, leading to the project’s abandonment. The cracks, which would have continued to expand over time, made it impossible for the obelisk to maintain the stability required for an upright position. The bottom side of the obelisk is still attached to the bedrock. The huge structure, which is partly connected to the parent rock, has been left in situ.
Ancient Stone-Working Techniques
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The obelisk, together with several worker’s marks and rock carvings, provides a rare insight into the working techniques of Ancient Egypt. The large unfinished obelisk in the Northern Quarries has provided valuable insight into how these monuments were created, although the full construction process is still not entirely clear. It offers the chance to shed some light on how such massive structures were created in ancient Egypt during Egypt new kingdom by the hands of Hatshepsut.
The Unfinished Obelisk site is a celebrated archaeological treasure in Egypt, providing scholars and visitors with invaluable insight into the ancient Egyptians' architectural prowess and religious beliefs. The site of the Unfinished Obelisk is preserved as an open-air museum, allowing modern visitors to explore the quarry and witness the advanced stone-working techniques used by the ancient Egyptians. Today, the quarry is a preserved open-air museum, allowing visitors to walk among the relics of ancient Egypt’s ambitious stone-working projects and witness the massive Unfinished Obelisk still embedded in the bedrock.
The obelisk reveals evidence of the tools and methods employed to carve such a massive structure. The unfinished obelisk offers unusual insights into ancient Egyptian stone-working techniques, with marks from workers tools still clearly visible as well as ochre-colored lines marking where they were working. One of the more interesting aspects of the Unfinished Obelisk is that it allows us to see just how they would have liberated the mammoth structure from the bedrock had it not cracked.
There are still examples of these Dolerite balls, on-site as Aswan. These dolerite balls were likely used to chip away at the granite’s surface slowly, leaving characteristic marks that are still visible on the rock. Harder than granite, the Dolerite wouldn’t crack or break after repeatedly pounding against the stone surface.
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It sounds unbelievable, but wet wood was the answer. The Obelisk of Aswan is the very find thanks to which it was possible to explain how the ancient Egyptians did to divide the finished sculpture from the stone bed once finished, it would seem a complicated process that requires advanced equipment and techniques, instead, it is very simple: they used wet wood. The Egyptians also employed ingenious methods to separate the obelisk from the bedrock. After carving it almost entirely out of the granite bed, workers would create small cavities along the line where they wanted the rock to split. Workers carved small cavities in the stone, creating a line that is not unlike a perforated piece of paper. The slots were filled with sun-dried wooden wedges. The wedges were then repeatedly soaked in water, and believe it or not, the expansion of this wood would cause the carved rock to break free from its home. The wedges were repeatedly and periodically covered with water, this process caused a gradual increase in size.
Once separated from the bed of rock, the obelisk was smoothed with diabase or dolerite rock to make its surface evener.
Mythological Significance
The obelisk form itself holds significant spiritual meaning within ancient Egyptian culture. The obelisk reveals evidence of the tools and methods employed to carve such a massive structure. Carved from red granite, the Unfinished Obelisk was created to resemble the "primeval hill," a mythical feature in Egyptian creation stories symbolizing the first emergence of the world. Obelisks, known to the Egyptians as "Tekhenu," or "To Pierce the Sky," were believed to channel divine energy and symbolize the power of the ancient Egyptian gods, particularly that of the sun god Ra, who was central to Egyptian cosmology. The obelisk was also associated with the BenBen stone, a sacred object thought to embody the cosmic mound upon which the creator god Atum stood during the world’s creation.
The Unfinished Obelisk also carries significant mythological meaning, symbolizing the connection between the earth and the divine, especially the sun god Ra. Some historians and archaeologists also link the origins of the obelisk to natural astronomical phenomena, suggesting that its shape and orientation may have been inspired by celestial alignments with the sun, lights of the zodiac, or certain constellations.
A Modern-Day Treasure
Today, the Aswan Obelisk is a real open-air museum, allowing us to take a virtual journey into a distant world, full of mysteries yet to be discovered. The Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan stands as one of the most significant examples of ancient Egyptian architecture, demonstrating not only the Egyptians’ technological expertise but also their deep cultural and religious convictions. The Unfinished Obelisk encapsulates the Egyptians’ extraordinary commitment to their beliefs and their advanced engineering capabilities, showcasing how the ancient world was capable of undertaking projects that would be challenging even with today’s technology.
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Upon entering the quarry, steps lead down into the pit of the obelisk, where there are ancient pictographs of dolphins and ostriches or flamingos, thought to have been painted by workers at the quarry. The Northern Quarries are about 1.5km from town, opposite the Fatimid Cemetery. Microbuses will drop you within a few minutes' walk.
During a visit to the ruins of monumental sites scattered throughout Egypt, it is rare to stop and reflect on the various stages necessary for their realization. The unfinished obelisk offers unusual insights into ancient Egyptian stone-working techniques, with marks from workers tools still clearly visible as well as ochre-colored lines marking where they were working.
If you're visiting Aswan independently, pop to the nearby Fatimid Cemetery too, which has some fascinating 9th century mud-brick tombs.
Visiting Aswan:
- Aswan itself: the town is worth a visit.
- Aswan is the ancient city of Swenett, later known as Syene, which in antiquity was the frontier town of Ancient Egypt facing the south.
- Three to 4 days- Ancient and cultural attractions, beautiful Nile scenery, and an easy charm.
- As for Abu Simbel, the immensity of it's beauty and the unbelievable history behind is absolutely worth the visit.
Planning a Nile Cruise:
- Nile cruises offered online or by JOURNEY TO EGYPT start from around $150 per day and that's just for 5 star standard cruise ships.
- There are also several shops with interesting things like jewellery and perfumes for your shopping pleasure.
Key Facts about the Unfinished Obelisk:
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Commission | Likely commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut during the 18th Dynasty (1478-1458 B.C.). |
| Abandonment | Abandoned due to multiple cracks discovered in the granite during carving. |
| Stone-working Evidence | Retains visible tool marks and ochre lines, providing insights into ancient Egyptian methods and materials. |
| Mythological Significance | Symbolized the connection between the earth and the divine, particularly the sun god Ra. |
| Size | If finished it would have measured around 42 meters and would have weighed nearly 1,168 tons. |
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