"Aswan Quarry" Aswan Things to Do Tip by yurxlnc

Aswan Things to Do: 315 reviews and 687 photos

the cracked obelisk

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the cracked obelisk
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Aswan from the quarry
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the quarry
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the obelisk showing markings
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boulder with markings
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The granite quarries at Aswan have been in use since Pharaonic times. All the cladding for the small pyramid of Giza, many staues and monuments were made from Aswan granaite. Workers used to hit away at the hard rock with stone implements until the piece they wanted could be freed from the bedrock. This was done by pouring water, or perhaps vinegar into the gap and then the climate helped do the rest.
The quarry has in situ the potentially largest of the obelisks, which unfortunately debveloped a crack before the final steps were reached. So now it lies allowing us to see how the work was carried out.

Directions: north from Aswan town

Review Helpfulness: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Written Dec 25, 2005
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