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The Unfinished Obelisk | Aswan Obelisk | Hatshepsut Obelisk | Aswan Granite Quarries

  • 05 16, 2023

The Unfinished Obelisk

One of the greatest pharaohs in Egyptian history, both male and female, Hatshepsut contributed enormous wealth and artistic talent to her country. Her sponsorship of one of Egypt's most prosperous trading expeditions resulted in the return of gold, ebony, and incense from a location known as Punt, which is most likely modern-day Eritrea in Africa.

The largest obelisk ever made by the ancient Egyptians, according to the history of Egypt during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut (18th dynasty specifically), is known as the Unfinished Obelisk. Even today, it is located exactly where it was once semi-carved in solid rock, in the granite quarries near the city of Aswan.

Queen Hatshepsut | Queen of Egypt | The Pharaoh Woman

Queen Hatshepsut | Queen of Egypt | The Pharaoh Woman

 

The huge Unfinished obelisk Aswan block of stone was destined to become an obelisk almost 40 meters high, Unfinished Obelisk weight is more than 1000 tons.

Unfortunately, it was never finished, probably because a huge crack opened during the process of separating the block of stone from the bedrock, making it unusable and no longer of any value to those who had worked so hard to create it.
Unfinished Obelisk
Hatshepsut Obelisk

It would have been the highest in the world, also believed that it was part of a pair of obelisks together with the Lateran Obelisk, once located in the Karnak temple, and which today is standing at the basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome.

Karnak Temple | The Largest Egyptian Temple

Karnak Temple | The Largest Egyptian Temple

 

Holes were made in the granite in which sun-dried wooden wedges were inserted. Subsequently, the wedges were repeatedly immersed in the water, which caused them to increase in size. The expansion of these wedges caused a crack in the rock along the line of the holes, thus separating the obelisk from the rock below. And that's how the obelisk was to be separated from the bedrock.

Unfinished Obelisk

 Aswan Granite Quarries

Today, the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan is an open-air museum within the granite quarries where ancient Egyptian kings used to cut and transport all the necessary stone blocks that were to be used in building the immense pyramids of Egypt, especially those standing in glory within the Giza Necropolis that was used during the 4th dynasty' in the old kingdom, for kings Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus, as well as the gigantic temples of the middle kingdom and the new kingdom like the temple of Luxor and El-Deir El-Bahari Temple, all of which allow us to identify ourselves in a distant world, full of mysteries still to be discovered. We are waiting for you on the historical land of our ancestors, for this visit you have chosen. 

The obelisk is a structure with historical, religious, and cultural significance that is associated with the Ra cult. Conceptually, one of the central ideas of Egyptian culture was represented by the obelisk: the sun's rays emanating from the summit, from which the sun gives life.

Cairo Top Tours is the perfect way to spend a wonderful few days exploring all these fascinating attractions that inspire you once you arrive in Egypt, so book with us now.

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Egypt Tours FAQ

Read top Egypt tours FAQs

Egypt's archaeological museums offer a glimpse into the country's extensive and evolving heritage. Some notable ones include the Egyptian Museum, the Museum of Islamic Art, Al Gawhara Palace, Al Manyal Palace, the Greek Museum, Mahmoud Mokhtar Museum, and the Fine Arts Museum. For an immersive experience, it's recommended to choose a guided multi-day tour that encompasses all these prominent attractions in this captivating country.

Cairo Top Tours provides a wide range of advantages to its customers as one of the leading figures and major players in the tourism sector. We will do everything possible to make your trip with us a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you wanting more. Here are a few justifications for choosing Cairo Top Tours as your go-to travel companion. Flexible itineraries, affordable prices, excellent customer service, and payment convenience are all features of Our River Nile Cruises, where we guarantee you will have a memorable and insightful experience.

Large wooden ramps and stairs that lead to the Unfinished Obelisk are now open to tourists.

 

 

The ancient town of Aswan, also known as Swenett or Syene, was the southernmost frontier settlement of Ancient Egypt. This region's ancient Egyptian stone quarries were renowned for their stone, particularly for the granitic rock known as Syenite.

Going to Nubian villages and talking to the people who live there is a really good way to learn about the Nubian language and the things they do to celebrate their culture.

Indeed, the region where the Nubian people live is where Aswan is situated. You can learn about traditional Nubian music and dance, see their distinctive architecture and crafts, and immerse yourself in Nubian culture by visiting villages like Gharb Soheil and Siou.

An unfinished obelisk in Aswan is part of the region's cultural heritage and plays an important role in attracting tourists to the area. Here are some of the reasons why the unfinished obelisk is interesting and attracts tourists:

Pharaonic history: The obelisk dates back to Pharaonic times and is part of the ancient history of Egypt. Tourists who are interested in ancient Egyptian civilization are attracted to visit this site to see the ruins and learn about the ancient history of the area.

Hieroglyphic art: The obelisk contains intricate hieroglyphic inscriptions and symbols that tell stories from the ancient civilization. Tourists who are interested in ancient Pharaonic art and culture may find visiting the obelisk a fun and educational experience.

Cultural attraction: The presence of monuments such as the Obelisk is part of Aswan's cultural appeal. Tourists looking for unique cultural experiences can enjoy visiting this site and discovering ancient Egyptian culture.

In 1952, Greek-Egyptian engineer Adrian Daninos proposed this project to build the High Dam in Aswan to trap the Nile floods, store its water and generate electricity from it. In early 1954, two German engineering companies submitted a design for the project, and in December of the same year an international committee approved the feasibility of building the High Dam.

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