Granite Quarries
The Granite Quarries
provided much of the red granite used for ancient temples and
colossi. Located in the Northern Quarry, The Unfinished Obelisk (42
m in length) lies in the same place it was discarded thousands of years
ago, when a crack was discovered as it was being carved.
Most of the
granite used in the ancient Egyptian tombs, temples and obelisks came from
the quarries in the Aswan area. Around these quarries are many
inscriptions, many of which describe successful quarrying projects. Of
particular interest is the Unfinished Obelisk located in the Northern
Quarry. Because it has a large crack it was never used it would have
weighed over 2.3 million pounds