Unfinished Obelisk

Overview. In Aswan’s northern granite quarries, the Unfinished Obelisk lies exactly where ancient workers carved it from the bedrock. If completed, it would have stood about 42 meters tall and weighed roughly 1,100–1,200 tons. A major crack halted the project, preserving the site as a rare, open-air record of ancient engineering.

Why it matters. The quarry shows step-by-step methods used by ancient Egyptians: trenching around the block, under-cutting to free the base, and the distinctive pounding marks left by dolerite tools. Many scholars link the project to the New Kingdom (often to Hatshepsut), highlighting the ambition behind monumental obelisks.

What you’ll see. Visitors can look directly onto the obelisk still attached to the bedrock, examine tool marks at full scale, and walk designated paths around the quarry for context and photos.

Visiting tips. Shade is limited—bring water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. The Unfinished Obelisk pairs well with Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam for a classic Aswan day.