Archaeological site · Aswan
Unfinished Obelisk
The giant obelisk that Aswan's granite never released
- City
- Aswan
- Era
- New Kingdom, c. 1550–1070 BC (18th Dynasty)
Overview
The Unfinished Obelisk lies in the ancient northern granite quarries of Aswan, in southern Egypt. It is the largest known obelisk ever attempted by Egyptian craftsmen, and it is still attached to the bedrock where it was being carved. Most scholars associate it with Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty, a ruler famous for raising obelisks at Karnak. Its abandonment gives visitors a rare look at how monumental stone was quarried.
Estimates suggest the finished monument would have measured around 42 metres in length and weighed well over 1,000 tonnes, far larger than any obelisk successfully erected in Egypt. Workers shaped it by pounding the granite with hard dolerite stones, creating trenches around the shaft. When a crack appeared in the rock, the project could not be saved, and the masons left it in place, where it has remained for more than three thousand years.
Today the site is an open-air archaeological area that reveals ancient quarrying methods rather than a finished monument. Marks from tools, trenches and abandoned pieces of stone survive around the obelisk, and the surrounding landscape of reddish-pink Aswan granite helps explain why the stone was prized for obelisks, statues and temple elements across Egypt. A visit is short but rewarding, and it combines easily with other sights in Aswan.
What to see
- 01The huge unfinished obelisk shaft, still joined to the bedrock
- 02Trenches and tool marks showing how granite was cut by hand
- 03Dolerite pounding stones used to shape the hard granite
- 04The crack that ended the project, visible in the stone
Visitor tips
- Visit early in the morning or late afternoon, as the quarry is open and offers little shade; bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
- Wear sturdy shoes with good grip, since the paths and rock surfaces are uneven.
- Check current opening hours and ticket details locally or through official sources, and consider a licensed guide to understand the quarrying marks.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the Unfinished Obelisk never completed?
A crack appeared in the granite while the obelisk was being carved from the bedrock. Because it could no longer be extracted as a sound monolith, the ancient workers abandoned it in place.
How big would the Unfinished Obelisk have been?
Estimates put its intended length at about 42 metres and its weight at well over 1,000 tonnes. This would have made it the largest obelisk in ancient Egypt had it been completed.
How long does a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk take?
The site is fairly compact, so many visitors spend under an hour there. It is easy to combine with other Aswan sights such as Philae Temple, the High Dam or the Nubian Museum.
