Obelisk of Hatshepsut

The granite monolith stands 29.56 meters tall as the highest remaining obelisk in Egypt, featuring detailed hieroglyphic inscriptions on all four sides.

Erected around 1457 BCE during the XVIII dynasty, this monument represents the power of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, whose name successors attempted to remove from many structures.

The inscriptions on each face of the obelisk document Hatshepsut's connection to Amun and her position as both daughter and son of the deity.

The obelisk base contains grooves that indicate the precise placement method used by ancient Egyptians to position this 343-ton stone monument.

The transportation of this massive stone required multiple boats placed in parallel, with Nile mud used to reduce friction during the seven-month journey.

Location: Karnak

Inception: 15 century BCE

GPS coordinates: 25.71831,32.65857

Latest update: March 4, 2025 12:29