Unfinished Obelisk

The term obelisk refers to four-sided, tapered monuments which were called tekhenu by the Ancient Egyptians. The term obelisks comes from the Greek word obeliskos (diminutive of obelos-a spit). More than half of the remaining ancient obelisks are outside of Egypt, having been prized by other civilizations, including the Romans (13 are located in Italy). The Roman emperor Augustus first used the obelisk as proof to the Roman people that Egypt had been conquered, and subsequent emperors continued this practice.

There is an ongoing debate about who commissioned the obelisk. It is sometimes attributed to Hatshepsut, but more likely was built by the Kushite king Taharqa (690 to 664 BC) or by Nectanebo II (360–342 BC or 380 – 362 BC). It was destined to match the first pylon gate at Karnak temple, which is a similar height (the north tower is about 21.7 meters (71 feet) and the south 31.65 meters (104 feet); if it had been completed it would probably have been between 38 and 40 meters (124.5 and 131 feet). It is estimated that the unfinished obelisk would have measured 42 meters (138 feet) and weighed 1088.5 tonnes (1200 ton), which would have made it the largest obelisk constructed by the ancient Egyptians. It was left unfinished, possibly due to political instability or the Persian invasion.

The site has taught us about the innovative methods and the tools used to carve out obelisks and free them from the surrounding stone, including the use of small balls made of dolerite, which is harder than granite, and some of these balls can still be found around the site.