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Obelisks

The Buildings - Builders & Buildings

An Obelisk is a instanty recognisable monument which is often higher than anything else placed close to it, especially in ancient times. It is made from one piece of stone and is larger at the bottom and tapers off usually to a point. It is iconic within Egypt and Egyptian Obelisks have been moved and re-erected in London, Rome and Paris. 

Obelisks at Karnak Temple

Hatshepsut's Obelisk

Pharaoh Hatshepsut, with her High Steward and Architect Amenhotep, built her original pair of Obelisks to be nearly 30 meters high with a weight of anywhere from 155 to 325 tons each. These are known to have been hewn from the quarry. . . . .

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Hatshepsut's Fallen Obelisk

The Fallen Obelisk is one of a pair. It allows you to see what would have been inaccessible if the Obelisk had remained aloft. On the Pyramidion – the very pinnacle – there is a relief of Pharaoh Hatshepsut in the kingly regalia holding her stepson and successor, the future Pharaoh Tuthmose III.

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Tuthmose I's Obelisk

The Obelisk would have been one of a pair which would have each weighed approx. 143 tons, hewn from a single piece of stone and shipped to the Temple via barges on the Nile before being hauled into position. . . . .

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Obelisks at Luxor Temple

Other Obelisks 

Egyptian Museum, Cairo

Fallen Obelisk, Tanis

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Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan Quarry

Partial Obelisk, Tanis

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Missing Obelisks

Many Obelisks have not survived to the current day, but Egyptologists are aware that there would have been Obelisks in front of most Temples and Mortuary Temples

Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple

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