Unfinished obelisk
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The unfinished obelisk is the largest known ancient obelisk, located in an ancient quarry near Aswan (Assuan), Egypt. It is nearly twice as large as any Egyptian obelisk ever erected. If finished it would measure around 42 meters, or 130 feet, in length. Its weight is estimated at around 1,150 metric tons. Scientists speculate that it was intended to complement the Lateran Obelisk at Karnak.
The obelisk's creators began to carve it directly out of bedrock, but cracks appeared in the granite and the project was abandoned. The bottom side of the obelisk is still attached to the bedrock. The unfinished obelisk offers unusual insight into ancient Egyptian stone-working techniques, with marks from workmen's tools still clearly visible.
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