The Mysterious Unfinished Obelisk
In the annals of ancient Egypt, the Unfinished Obelisk stands tall – or rather, lies tall – as one of the most perplexing yet fascinating ancient monuments known to man. Located in a quarry in Aswan, Egypt, this massive granite cutout in the rock is believed to have been ordered by the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, Queen Hatshepsut. However, the construction of the obelisk was never completed, leaving it as a forgotten and abandoned relic of a bygone era.
Unveiling the Difficulty of Building the Unfinished Obelisk
The Unfinished Obelisk is not just any ancient monument. It is, in fact, one of the most challenging structures the ancient Egyptians ever attempted to build. Its construction was so complex that even today, we marvel at the engineering feat that would have been achieved if it had been completed. According to estimates, this obelisk would have reached a staggering height of 41.8 meters and weighed an astonishing 1200 tons.
The quarry where the Unfinished Obelisk lies is located in Aswan, an ancient site located up the Nile from Cairo and Luxor. Today, the Unfinished Obelisk sits in the rock, seemingly forgotten and left unfinished for over three and a half thousand years.
Uncovering the History of the Unfinished Obelisk
While there are approximately 30 ancient Egyptian obelisks in the world, the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan is one of the largest and most important archaeological finds in Ancient Egypt. Commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut, this obelisk was supposed to be an additional monument to the Lateran Obelisk, which stands at approximately 45.7 meters high and is the highest obelisk in the world.
However, something went awry during the construction of the Unfinished Obelisk, leading to huge cracks on the stone, rendering it unusable as a monument. Partially carved obelisk bases can be found nearby that might have been able to hold it upright.
The Engineering Wonders of the Unfinished Obelisk
The Unfinished Obelisk poses many engineering questions for modern scholars. The giant granite block, weighing 1168 tons, would have been an incredible engineering feat to move, let alone stand upright. This raises the question of how the ancient civilization was able to achieve such an impossible task.
According to historical records, the Egyptians used carts to roll the obelisk along the banks of the Nile, and then transported it downstream to large settlements using boats. Once the obelisk arrived at its intended location, workers used ropes and pulleys to pull it up a large hill with a constant slope until it reached the ridge. They then slowly lowered it down until it stood upright.
The Unfinished Obelisk in Egypt provides a valuable insight into the ancient stone-working techniques of the Egyptians. Although the obelisk was never raised, its unfinished state reveals much about how the ancient Egyptians worked with stone.
Stone-Working Techniques at the Unfinished Obelisk
The Unfinished Obelisk provides important clues about how the ancient Egyptians worked with stone. The edges of the granite show marks from where pieces were chipped away, and ochre lines were used to guide workers on where to make cuts, similar to how a modern craftsman would use a pencil to make marks on a piece of wood. These marks and lines reveal the intricate planning and precision required for the construction of such a massive monument.
Visit the Unfinished Obelisk Today
Despite its unfinished state, the Unfinished Obelisk remains a valuable and fascinating historical structure. It is open to visitors, and anyone can witness firsthand the ancient stone-working techniques used by the Egyptians. The open-air museum provides a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Egyptians and their remarkable engineering abilities.
The Unfinished Obelisk – An Enigma of the Past
The Unfinished Obelisk is more than just an ancient monument. It is a testament to the ingenuity, skill, and determination of the ancient Egyptians. Its unfinished state, while disappointing to some, is a window into the past and offers valuable insights into the stone-working techniques and engineering marvels of this great civilization. As we stand in awe of the Unfinished Obelisk today, we can only imagine what might have been if it had been completed.
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