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The Unfinished Obelisk This is one of the most incredible sites in the whole of Egypt located in the ancient granite quarries just north of Aswan. It was intended to be a huge monolith obelisk but because a natural crack appeared in the rock, it was never cut free from the bedrock and can today be visited while it is still part of the bedrock. It offers tourists the chance to get up close to evidence of monumental stone working on a truly massive scale in ancient Egypt. This is one of the main sights to see in Aswan for those keen on seeing Aswan historical sites, ancient Egyptian construction techniques and generally touring Egypt tours. It really is a raw, uncut example of ancient engineering and one of the most informative and visually stimulating sites anywhere in Upper Egypt. Embark on an unforgettable journey through Egypt with this comprehensive Egypt travel guide. Explore world-famous landmarks, ancient tombs, and stunning landscapes that make Egypt one of the most fascinating destinations in the world.
Aswan's Unfinished Obelisk: An Impressive Ancient Engineering Site
The Unfinished Obelisk is arguably one of the most exciting ancient sites in Egypt, revealing so much about the method used to quarry these monumental stones. Located within the legendary granite quarries of Aswan this popular stop for visitors looking for Aswan attractions, ancient Egyptian engineering and things to do in Aswan shows us exactly how these monoliths were carved into being. The intention here was to create the largest obelisk to date, but construction ceased after the rock fractured.
Today, the Unfinished Obelisk is still attached to the granite bedrock and is an amazing open air museum that details the step-by-step process used by the ancient Egyptians when quarrying giant monoliths out of solid rock.
History of the Unfinished Obelisk and Ancient Quarrying
The Unfinished Obelisk is believed to date to the reign of Queen Hatshepsut in the 18th Dynasty. It was due to be shipped up the Nile and erected at Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor, but this ambitious project was aborted after the stone fractured.
This is one of the most valuable sites to be explored, showing us how ancient Egyptians quarried from these huge rock faces with their stonework and dolerite balls. It is part of every search for ancient Egyptian tools, Hatshepsut projects and Aswan granite quarries.
What can you see at the Unfinished Obelisk site
Visitors can see the huge unfinished obelisk still attached to its original carved trench, and we are able to see the scoring marks and construction details at each step of the way. The surrounds to the obelisk quarry show a number of other quarried stone blocks, and many that were cut out before this project was brought to a halt. The quarry gives us a fantastic insight into the power of ancient Egyptian engineering and is one of the most sought after spots for many a tourist on Egypt archaeological tours and Aswan historical sites.
Why should the Unfinished Obelisk be included in your Egypt tours
It is an important part of many Egypt tours, particularly any focusing on Aswan and visiting surrounding sites such as Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam. This site gives visitors a rare behind the scenes view of how the most important and stunning monuments were originally brought into existence and for those seeking out an insight into ancient history and the way that great minds approached the difficult tasks facing them this is the site not to miss, with so many options for exploring Egypt's historical sites, it is one of the best that Aswan has to offer.
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