HeritagePhoto Wikimedia CommonsUnfinished Obelisk
Egypt
Continuing on, we will visit the Unfinished Obelisk, an impressive example of ancient Egyptian stone-cutting techniques. This obelisk is believed to have been commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut during the 18th Dynasty. After the tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel or Nile Cruise in Luxor.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Northern Quarry of Aswan, home to one of the most fascinating 'failures' in archaeological history: the Unfinished Obelisk. Commissioned approximately 3,500 years ago, likely during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut,…
Listen in the app2The Obelisk Bed and the Fatal Crack
As we stand directly over the massive trench containing the obelisk, look closely at its surface. You can clearly see the outline of the monument, carved directly out of the red granite bedrock. …
Listen in the app3Diorite Pounders and Ancient Tools
One of the most remarkable realizations at this site is the lack of iron or steel tools. The ancient Egyptians carved this incredibly hard granite using nothing more than balls of dolerite, also known as diorite. …
Listen in the app4The Separation Technique: Wood and Water
A major mystery often discussed by visitors is how the Egyptians managed to separate the bottom of such a massive block from the bedrock. While the Unfinished Obelisk was never separated, we see the preparation for this final…
Listen in the app5The Puzzle of the Dovetail Joints
Looking closely at some of the smaller cracks in the granite, you might notice strange, notch-like carvings that look like 'dovetail' joints. This was an attempt by the ancient masons to 'heal' the stone. …
Listen in the app6Transporting a Giant: The Nile and the Sand
If the obelisk had been successfully carved, the next challenge would have been moving it to the Nile. The quarry is located on a height, and the Egyptians used a combination of ramps and rollers to move these giants. …
Listen in the app7The Finished Vision: Electrum and the Sun God
To truly appreciate why so much effort was spent here, we must imagine what this obelisk was meant to become. In the ancient Egyptian mind, an obelisk was not just a monument; it was a 'tejen,' a symbol of the 'ben-ben' stone…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our walk through the Northern Quarry, look one last time at the Unfinished Obelisk. It is a monument to what might have been. …
Listen in the app
What is Unfinished Obelisk?
Unfinished Obelisk is a place in Egypt with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Egypt |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 24.0769, 32.8954 |
| Last updated |
