The Aswân Obelisk With some remarks on the Ancient Engineering

by Reginald Engelbach

"The Aswân Obelisk" by Reginald Engelbach is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The work delves into the exploration and engineering aspects of the unfinished obelisk located in Aswân, Egypt, shedding light on the ancient techniques used in its quarrying and potential transportation. The book serves as a detailed account of the findings and considerations surrounding the obelisk, reflecting on unique methods of ancient engineering. The opening of "The Aswân Obelisk" introduces the setting of the unfinished obelisk, located in a quarry near the Cataract Hotel. It discusses the efforts initiated by King Fuad to clear the site to gain insights into ancient quarrying methods and the obelisk itself. The text describes how the obelisk was previously mostly obscured by rubble and outlines the initial phases of excavation, revealing the obelisk’s extraordinary dimensions and the challenges encountered during the work. The opening portions lay the groundwork for the subsequent detailed exploration of the obelisk's structure, the trench surrounding it, and the engineering methodologies employed by ancient workers.