The Unfinished Obelisk stands as a timeless testament to the ingenuity and ambition of ancient Egypt, a silent monument to the grandeur that might have been
Obelisks are considered one of the most important relics of the ancient Egyptians, as they indicate the ingenuity of ancient Egyptian art and engineering. They are found throughout Egypt, and we always see them standing at the entrances of temples in towering pairs that suggest the magnificence and greatness of ancient Egypt. Obelisks were known in the ancient Egyptian language as (Tekhen); they were made of a single stone rock with a rectangular column, and their top was crowned with a golden pyramid to reflect the rays of the sun. Obelisks were always associated with solar myths that represented (Al-Benben), or the first land that came into existence since the beginning of history. Through it, the sun god stood to create the universe. The ancient Egyptian kings and queens always made obelisks and gave them to themselves by engraving their names and religious achievements on the four sides of the obelisk’s column.
What is the Unfinished Obelisk?
Majestic Unfinished Obelisk
The Unfinished Obelisk is the best example to talk about relics and highlights the presence of a lost city in an old quarry in upper Aswan city. It also indicates the arrogance of the pharaohs and the hard work done by the laborers during their reign. The obelisk also tells us about the work in the quarries, which no one can imagine how it may make a great achievement or shameful failure. If the process of transporting this obelisk had succeeded, it would have been the greatest obelisk in the world; it would have deserved the title of “Wonders of the Ancient World.” If it were completed, it would have 137 feet in height and a weight of 1,168 tons. However, the failure of the obelisk was a great suffering and tragedy for the laborers; the unfinished obelisk always stands as a reminder of the limits of engineering and human power.
Where is The Unfinished Obelisk located?
The Unfinished Obelisk is situated in the southern part of Egypt, within the stone quarries of Aswan. These quarries are specifically in the northern region of Aswan and are renowned for the high-quality granite they produce.
Unfinished Obelisk’s Quarry
Who built the Unfinished Obelisk?
Queen Hatshepsut, the wife of King Thutmose II (1478-1458BC) in the new kingdom during the 18th dynasty, ordered the building of a great obelisk to be placed in Karnak temple to as a complete for the Lateran Obelisk (originally located in Karnak before being moved to Rome). The Unfinished Obelisk was originally carved in upper Aswan City. Specifically in the red quarries of granite that produce very high-quality granite.
The Unfinished Obelisk was built in a great way in the style of Greek architecture. That had a rectangular column with four engraved faces and was crowned by a golden pyramid to reflect the sun’s rays.
Queen Hatshepsut Statue
Why Was The Obelisk Left Unfinished?
The construction of the Obelisk was interrupted when a large crack appeared on the stone, and here is the story:
Thanks to The Unfinished Obelisk for explaining how the ancient Egyptians constructed such great Obelisks all over Egypt. They divided the final sculpture from the bed stone. It seems a very complicated process that requires advanced equipment and techniques, but they use very simple tools. Instead, they used wet wood to make holes in the granite and inserted sun-dried wooden wedges into these holes.
The wedges were repeatedly and periodically covered with water in order to imbibe the water and increase its size. Finally, these expanded wedges caused regular fractures along the hole line in the rocks, which led to separating the obelisk from the rocks under it. Once the obelisk is separated from the bedrock, it is smoothed, and its surface becomes evener due to the diabase and dolerite rocks, as they are harder than the granite rocks.
Once the last phase of the building process had been finished, three faces were already finished, and the laborers found out that there were large fractures in the rocks; for this reason, the building process was interrupted. The obelisk was left unfinished in the old quarries in Aswan until now.
The unfinished Obelisk’s crack
The Crack on the Unfinished Obelisk
Unveiling the Obelisk’s Mystery
How was the Unfinished Obelisk Transported?
The transportation of colossal Obelisk from quarries to their intended locations was a remarkable accomplishment in itself. Workers would use sleds, lubricated with water or sand, to move the Obelisk over long distances. Once at the site, a trench was dug, and the Obelisk was lowered into place.
Transportation of the Unfinished Obelisk
The Significance of Obelisks in Ancient Egypt
Obelisks had great significance in ancient Egypt. They were often erected as symbols of the sun God Ra and were believed to act as conduits between the earthly realm and the divine. Many obelisks were carved with hieroglyphs to honor the achievements of the pharaohs or to receive divine blessings for the kingdom.
Obelisks in Ancient Culture
Visiting the Unfinished Obelisk
Aswan Unfinished Obelisk is an actual open-air museum, permitting us to take a virtual adventure into a far-off world, complete with mysteries yet to be determined. Egypt Visitors can explore this massive structure, walk around the place, take wonderful pictures, and get a deeper understanding of ancient Egyptian structures.
Exploring the Monument
conclusion
The Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan is a testament to ancient Egyptian craftsmanship, with historical, religious, and cultural importance associated with the Ra cult. Nearby the obelisk, you can explore more amazing monuments such as Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam and dive deep into Egypt’s fascinating history.
