Abgig obelisk, Ancient obelisk in Faiyum, Egypt.
The Abgig obelisk is an ancient red granite monument in Faiyum that rises with its squared shaft decorated with five detailed sections showing Pharaoh Senusret I alongside various Egyptian gods across its surface. The carved reliefs depict the ruler in formal interaction with the divine, creating a visual narrative that runs the length of the stone.
This monument was built around 2000 BC during Egypt's Middle Kingdom, when Pharaoh Senusret I ruled and commissioned works to honor the gods. The stone has survived for more than four thousand years, enduring climate changes and human activity across the centuries.
The hieroglyphic texts along the stone name Senusret I as ruler of both Upper and Lower Egypt, with prayers to gods carved on different faces. You can see these carved messages when you walk around it, which shows how the ancient builders wanted to communicate with the divine.
You will find this stone standing near the entrance area of modern Faiyum, making it relatively easy to reach and examine up close. The open location means you can walk around all sides to see the carved details from different angles without obstacles.
At the top of this stone, there is a hollow space or recess where metal sculptures or decorative elements may have once sat centuries ago. This detail suggests that the monument's appearance was once more elaborate than what stands before you today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
