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In touring all of the ruins scattered across Egypt, it is very seldom that we pause to think about the many stages of planning and labor that came before these monuments were erected.
The Unfinished Obelisk is a rare opportunity to consider what this process might have been like and just how difficult it was to shape and carve the great stone blocks that make up Egypt’s many monuments.
This huge obelisk would have stood 140 feet in height, the largest even in Egypt. It was to be carved from the Red Aswan granite that decorate many of Egypt’s greatest monument and for which the city is famous. This greatest of all of Egypt’s monoliths, however, was never finished. At a late stage in its formation, a flaw in the rock was discovered and it was abandoned.
As a result, it remains in one of Aswan’s ancient quarries, fully formed and carved on three sides, but still anchored to the bedrock on the fourth. Archeologists believe that this obelisk was intended for Karnak, but instead it has remained in the quarry, a curious testament to the difficulties of carving in stone, for the last several thousand years.
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Check the most amazing tours of Egypt in Luxor and Aswan onboard of river Nile cruises.
Aswan City is a tranquil Nile-side destination known for its ancient temples, Nubian heritage, and stunning river scenery.
Carved out of the mountain, the Abu Simbel Temples is the most famous in all of Egypt after the Giza Pyramids, dedicated to Ramses II and his wife. Know more about the twin temples!
The High Dam was built 1960, and it was the most heralded part of President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s effort to develop Egypt for all Egyptians. While the dam is certainly not the largest in the world, it is an impressive engineering feat nonetheless, over 360 feet tall and 12,500 feet across.
In touring all of the ruins scattered across Egypt, it is very seldom that we pause to think about the many stages of planning and labor that came before these monuments were erected.
Philae Temple in Aswan is a breathtaking ancient site dedicated to the goddess Isis, known for its beautiful setting and rich mythology.
Gaining its name by its shape which resembles standing elephants in the water, Elephantine Island offers many attractions for anyone visiting the beautiful Aswan.
Opened in 1997, the Nubian Museum is a belated, but well-executed, tribute to the culture and influence of Nubia and the Nubian people on the history of Egypt.
Aswan Botanical Gardens offer a beautiful and unique escape from the city. A true jam of Egyptian treasures, strolling through the garden will take you into a dream state of scenery.
On the uninhabited west bank of the Nile at Aswan, the desert stretches right up to the waters edge. There is little in terms of development along this shoreline, but there are several small attractions that make it worth the ferry ride across the river.