The Egyptian ObelisksJaelyn Hamilton of 2nd Period

Place Hundreds of egyptian obelisks were first built

in ancient Egypt during the Pre-dynastic era. Over 26 egyptian obelisks currently remain,

8 are still in Egypt while the others were transported to various places around Rome and other European cities.

Ancient obelisks that still exist were erected during the New Kingdom and Ptolemaic Period.

Hatshepsuts ObeliskKarnak, Egypt

Structure The body of an egyptian obelisk was a long

block of granite with a quadrangular base. However, the special part of an obelisk was

its Pyramidon, a pyramid formation plated in gold to symbolize rays of the sun on top of the obelisk’s body.

Egyptians believed gold was what the gods were skinned in.

Meaning Behind the Obelisk

Obelisks were symbols of the solar god, Ra, and made to honor departed Pharoahs.

Original obelisks were built by slaves under the rule of Pharoahs and other leaders

Building obelisks allowed Pharoahs to be remembered and protected the temples, where citizens worshipped.

Washington Monument

modern obelisk

Egyptian Obelisks Now

Modern obelisks have mimicked their ancient ancestors, they have been placed in locations such as Washington DC, New York, Paris and more.

These modern obelisks have been built to honor the deceased, just like the ancient ones.

Unfortunately, there is not an egyptian obelisk that is one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World.

Cited Sources http://www.aldokkan.com/art/obelisk.htm http://www.theomegadays.net/topics/obelisks.htm http://www.egipto.com/obeliscos/histo2.html http://archive.archaeology.org/online/features/obelisk_tour/ http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/history/anc

ient-wonders/

http://watzlavdenich.ifunnyblog.com/ancientegyptobelisks/ http://www.phogropathy.com/the-obligatory-obelisk-photo/