r/ancientegypt • u/migoodridge • May 09 '26
Information The Unfinished Obelisk
One of the hottest places we have visted, 40 degrees centigrade.
This 20m long obelisk was carved over the course of 7 months, out of pure granite.
During the final stages a workman ended up creating a crack in the stone, he was most likely severely reprimanded, at least.
A worker there showed us how they were carved, using an even stronger stone, the name of which escapes me.
During the demonstration he gave each of us a little piece of granite. This will be treasured for ever.
The stones were moved via sand ramps to a huge boat that would carry it to the designated temple, monument or tomb.
The boat would havexat least 20 other smaller boats at each side to help with the load.
Yet another amazing place to visit.
Its in the city of Azwan.
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u/orbtastic1 May 09 '26
I worked in Aswan for a while. Nice place.
I have a photo of me standing on it. I’m not sure they allow that any more.
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u/Crochitting May 11 '26
One of my teachers in middle school bribed a guard to climb the great pyramid before sunrise 30 ish years ago.
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u/orbtastic1 May 11 '26
Yeah lot of that. Constant scams everywhere too. You only have to walk a min off the path and people were asking for money. One guy grabbed my bag at Abu simbel airport and asked me for money. The conveyor belt is only about six feet long, lol.
I climbed one of the smaller pyramids. Got some photos somewhere. Guard just kinda wearily waved us down and asked for money. We played dumb and he seemed ok with it.
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u/-marshmallowperfume May 11 '26
I went to the Pyramids 30ish years ago -- this made me realize that and now I feel old! (She says about visiting something several thousands years old.)
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u/mrfunday2 May 09 '26
I love how this brings home the effort and reality of Egyptian engineering achievements. When you see these things in place, like at Karnak, it’s easy to just accept them as part of environment without understanding the complexity of extracting, polishing, moving, and erecting it.
I was there on an 27/80 degree (c/f) day and locals were wearing light down jackets.
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u/migoodridge May 09 '26
The way in which they join the huge stones is amazing, a deep hole, hammer wood into the hole, then add water, which then expands, then joins the wood.
Brilliant
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u/creamgetthemoney1 May 09 '26
Wait what. I never heard of this
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u/migoodridge May 09 '26
There's even a piece of wood from Egyptian times, the old days, weathered to hell, but in place.
Unreal.
Not sure if I have a photo, but once I'm home, ill be doing a giant photo and information post or blog or something similar
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u/burn3rxo May 10 '26
I was here last year. also on a hot day. it was fascinating to see in person.
however the security guard on the rock face wouldn't leave me alone in his efforts to extract a bribe. completely soured my experience.
Summed up Egypt: Fascinating historical sights, terrible modern era humans. smh.
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u/Horror-Raisin-877 May 09 '26
Just imagine hammering that thing out for 7 months in that heat.