Ohman,+Erik

Class Lists

**Obelisks**

The definition of an Obelisk is “a monumental column carved from one block of stone with a square bottom and a pointed top. Obelisks are usually around 70 feet tall and weigh around 193 tons! That’s really big, especially when it is made out of one piece of rock.

Obelisks were a very important part of life for Ancient Egyptians. The word Obelisk come from the Greek word “needle” because that is what it looks like. Obelisks were usually put up in pairs in front of temples and some Old Kingdom tombs. Obelisks symbolized the statability and the force of Ra the Sun god. They were also believed as a magical protection to the temples and the tombs.

There are Obelisks all over the world. Most are in Egypt, but some countries have made their own Obelisks like the U.S.A. made the Washington Monument. Other countries got Obelisks as gifts from Egypt like France did in 1829. The Egyptian that gave France the Obelisk was Mefemet Ali. Did you know that the Washington Monument is the biggest true Obelisk ever?

Do you know how Obelisks were made? They were made by getting a huge piece of granite stone and cutting it into its long figure at a quarry. If it would get cracked the workers would abandon the stone right where it was and try and start a new one. Next, the workers would put it on rollers, roll it on a boat, and the boat would ship it to where it was wanted by the pharaoh or honored person. Then, the workers would put it up and sculptures would put drawings into the sides and have bright colors on the sides because Egyptians liked bright colors.

Obelisks were very important to not only Egyptians but people all over the world. They are very interesting and if you get a chance you should see one because there are only 26 known Obelisks. Did you know that the Washington Monument is the biggest Obelisks ever?