One of the most fascinating monuments left from ancient Egypt is the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan. If completed, it would have been the tallest and heaviest obelisk ever erected, surpassing all known obelisks in size.
What Is an Obelisk and What Was Its Purpose?
An obelisk is a tall, four-sided monument that tapers upward to a small pyramid-shaped tip. The word comes from the Greek for needle, reflecting its slender form.
In ancient Egypt, obelisks were symbols of the sun god Ra. They were often placed at temple entrances to mark sacred spaces and to honor the gods, while also serving as monuments of power and devotion.
Why Was the Obelisk Left Unfinished?
The massive granite block was abandoned after large cracks appeared during carving. Had it been completed, it would have weighed more than 1,000 tons—with some estimates reaching 1,150 tons. The fractures made it impossible to finish, leaving behind an extraordinary glimpse into ancient Egyptian stone-working techniques.
How Did the Ancient Egyptians Carve Granite?
Contrary to what many believe, the ancient Egyptians did not use metal chisels to carve granite. Instead, they employed tools made from diorite, one of the hardest stones available. Workers used rounded diorite balls to pound and chip away at the granite surface until it became smooth and workable.
To detach large blocks, they created small cavities in the rock, inserting wooden wedges that were then soaked with water. As the wood expanded, it generated enough pressure to crack the stone along prepared lines. These techniques allowed them to extract enormous pieces of granite from the quarries.
The unfinished obelisk remains in place, still attached to its bedrock, serving as a living museum that reveals the remarkable skills and ingenuity of Egypt’s ancient builders.
Traveler’s Tip: A visit to the Unfinished Obelisk site in Aswan is like stepping into an ancient construction yard, where you can witness firsthand the techniques that produced Egypt’s most iconic monuments.