Obelisco incompiuto nella cava di granito di Assuan, il più grande obelisco conosciuto dell'antico Egitto, abbandonato a causa delle crepe durante l'intaglio.
2736 x 3648 px | 23,2 x 30,9 cm | 9,1 x 12,2 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
13 febbraio 2025
Ubicazione:
Unfinished obelisk, Aswan Egypt
Altre informazioni:
The Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan is one of ancient Egypt’s most revealing archaeological sites, offering a rare glimpse into the stone-working techniques of the time. Carved directly into the bedrock of a granite quarry, this colossal monument was likely commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut around 1500 BCE. Had it been completed, it would have stood approximately 42 meters tall and weighed over 1, 000 tonnes, making it the largest known obelisk ever attempted. However, during its carving, cracks appeared in the granite, forcing workers to abandon the project mid-process. Today, the obelisk remains partially attached to the quarry floor, with visible tool marks and ochre guide lines that reveal the precision and ambition of ancient engineers. The site is now an open-air museum, protected as part of Egypt’s cultural heritage and included in the UNESCO listing of Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae.
