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Unfinished Obelisk - Ancient Engineering, Preserved for Posterity
The Unfinished Obelisk, an Egyptian antiquity, is located in the granite quarries at Aswan and is believed to have been commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty. If finished, it would have been the largest obelisk ever constructed, however when cracks appeared in the granite it had to be abandoned. Still attached to the bedrock as a result, the obelisk can be seen here, near Unfinished Obelisk where valuable evidence of the sophisticated stone-cutting practices of the ancient Egyptian craftsmen can be seen. Using simple, yet effective tools of dolerite balls, chisels and a lot of sheer brute force, massive granite blocks can be shaped into the obelisk forms; visitors looking to see how this site works for those on a Nile cruise or in southern Egypt tours will have much to learn.
Ancient Quarrying and Engineering at Aswan
The Unfinished Obelisk is also remarkable as a symbol of the advanced engineering skill used in its shaping. Direct carving into the natural rock was achieved with simple, but very effective stone balls and wooden wedges. These, as well as some tool traces, remain visible after millennia and show the methods of construction used during the New Kingdom period. Those travelling on a tour hoping to find out how pyramids and obelisks were built can discover many of these secrets on site, making it one of the more educational Aswan attractions for those interested in engineering. The sheer scale of the structure shows how far Egyptian ambition went, and how difficult working with hard natural stone can be.
Visiting the Unfinished Obelisk: How, When and Where to Go
A must-visit for anyone booking Egypt sightseeing tours, Nile cruises or heritage tours to southern Egypt, the Unfinished Obelisk is conveniently located in the ancient granite quarries adjacent to central Aswan. The site is normally included in a half day tour of Aswan sights, which also include the High Dam and the Philae Temple. Visitors here will be able to walk the quarry and view the massive obelisk that remains attached to the natural stone bedrock; clearly visible, the crack that caused it to be left here thousands of years ago. Recommended visit times are either in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the worst of the heat, which can significantly affect enjoyment, as will visiting after the morning tour groups depart. Taking a guided tour to this area will ensure you receive all the details on the site.
Unmissable Egyptian antiquity: Why Aswan needs the Unfinished Obelisk
Arguably the most awe-inspiring archaeological sites in Egypt and undoubtedly a must-see location in the country for all interested in ancient engineering, stone cutting, and the somewhat unvarnished past of Egypt's monumental constructions, is the Unfinished Obelisk. Situated in the northern quarry area of Aswan this gargantuan obelisk, thought to have been commissioned by one of the most powerful monarchs of Ancient Egypt; Queen Hatshepsut; stands as a magnificent showcase for those visiting and searching for "ancient Egyptian monuments" and "things to do in Aswan" and "Egypt archaeological sites". As a visitor the site is so incredible because it provides the opportunity to witness on a very raw, and on a very real level the workings of stone cutting of thousands of years ago; leaving clear evidence of stone carving and construction processes that you very rarely witness so overtly at many other monuments.
One of the key aspects of the Unfinished Obelisk is its fantastic showcase of both the ability and ambition of the ancient Egyptian craftsmen, and the setbacks that they faced; as you are able to walk around the sheer rock that remains still attached to the bedrock and see the precise stone cutting that was stopped abruptly as a massive crack was evident in the granite. The site literally offers you a snapshot of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship at the point it was suddenly stopped by the imperfection, a window of learning in regards to the manner in which obelisks were cut, shaped, and ultimately prepared to be moved to the temples of ancient Egypt, the ancient engineering aspect is remarkable for historians, archeologists, and the eager tourists. Just looking at the immense project on a grand scale, is indicative of the rulers' great desire to build monuments, and the skill of those workmen who relied solely upon copper tools, stone hammers, and ingenuity.
