Unfinished Obelisk
The region of Aswan
was the only one of Ancient Egypt where granite was found, granite being a far
stronger type of stone than what was otherwise in use for building larger structures.
Up in the mountain
side of Aswan was one of the obelisk quarries, and here lies a piece that never
was finished. The reason for this is that a flaw in the rock was found half way
into the process; this flaw is most visible today.
Had this obelisk
been finished, it would have become the single heaviest piece of stone ever
fashioned, weighing 1168 tons and 42 meters high. There is no information were
it was intended being used, but it is assumed that it was ordered for one of
Tuthmosis 3's additions to the temple complex at Karnak.