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The word "obelisk" comes from the Greek word obelos, meaning a dagger. These monuments were thought to look like daggers, with their columns ending in a point. Obelisks are typical examples of ancient Egyptian art; they have an elegant slender form, a square base, and end in a pyramid-shaped point.

In height, as a rule, they are about ten times the diameter of the base. The point was usually sheathed in a bright precious metal, silver or gold, but of these valuable metals was stolen long ago. Because of the layer of metal the columns reflected the sunlight brilliantly and they could be seen from a great distance.

Obelisks were usually carved out of reddish-coloured granite found at Aswan. Sometimes dark grey basalt was used.

The dimensions varied: the tallest known obelisk remains unfinished in a cave at Aswan (about 40m) and the smallest is less than 2 metres in height. They were not merely decorative but stood in front of the temples and were usually dedicated to the sun gods. On many obelisks there are inscriptions in hieroglyphics saying to which gods they were dedicated and to the Pharaoh who ordered their erection.

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9y ago

The meaning of the word obelisk is needle.

An obelisk is a tall four sided monument with a pyramidal top.

The ancient form was a single stone which is called monolith like in Stonehenge.

Several cities have an obelisk monument like Roma, Paris, Washington etc...

An obelisk is an Egyptian styled structure that is a tall rectangle that points at the top. It extends into the air like a skinny tower.

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Continue Learning about Ancient History

What Egyptian kingdom did obelisks come from?

Cleopatra's


How did obelisks affect Egyptian society?

Obelisks affected Egyptian society becasue: people had to work on it and I am so sexy, I was placed in an obelisk and everyone bowed to my sexiness.


What is the name of Cleopatra's obelisk?

There is no name for Cleopatra's obelisk because she does not have one. There are obelisks called "Cleopatra's Needles" but they have nothing to do with Cleopatra VII.There is no name for Cleopatra's obelisk because she does not have one. There are obelisks called "Cleopatra's Needles" but they have nothing to do with Cleopatra VII.There is no name for Cleopatra's obelisk because she does not have one. There are obelisks called "Cleopatra's Needles" but they have nothing to do with Cleopatra VII.There is no name for Cleopatra's obelisk because she does not have one. There are obelisks called "Cleopatra's Needles" but they have nothing to do with Cleopatra VII.There is no name for Cleopatra's obelisk because she does not have one. There are obelisks called "Cleopatra's Needles" but they have nothing to do with Cleopatra VII.There is no name for Cleopatra's obelisk because she does not have one. There are obelisks called "Cleopatra's Needles" but they have nothing to do with Cleopatra VII.There is no name for Cleopatra's obelisk because she does not have one. There are obelisks called "Cleopatra's Needles" but they have nothing to do with Cleopatra VII.There is no name for Cleopatra's obelisk because she does not have one. There are obelisks called "Cleopatra's Needles" but they have nothing to do with Cleopatra VII.There is no name for Cleopatra's obelisk because she does not have one. There are obelisks called "Cleopatra's Needles" but they have nothing to do with Cleopatra VII.


What two features are usually found near the entrances of temples?

sphinxes and obelisks


How were obelisks made?

they were made of granite stones. and igneous rocks.

Related questions

What is the purpose of building obelisks?

obelisks were build to honor the gods .


What did people carve on obelisks?

Egyptians back then carved hieroglyphics on obelisks.


What are obelisks made out of?

Stone.


What Material are obelisks made out of?

Ancient Egyptian obelisks are made of basalt or granite, but the Egyptians favored granite.


What Are tall thin pillars with pyramid-shaped tops?

They are called Obelisks. The Egyptian Obelisks are associated with the sun god Re.


Is it Hatshepsut or Cleopatra who built the giant obelisks?

It was Hatshepsut who built the giant obelisks. She commissioned several obelisks during her reign in ancient Egypt, including the largest known obelisk, which is now known as the Unfinished Obelisk. Cleopatra, on the other hand, did not build any giant obelisks herself, but she may have had some restored or relocated.


What are obelisks made of?

Obelisks are typically made of a single piece of stone, such as granite, marble, or basalt. These stones are typically quarried and then shaped into the tall, four-sided monuments we recognize as obelisks.


What huge objects made of granite did Hatshepsut have bbuilt during her reign as pharaoh?

Obelisks.Hatshepsut means Foremost of Noble Ladies is one of the most victorious pharaohs. Her two notable accomplishment were the Hatshepsut needle or granite obelisks and the granite sphinx statue.


Where were hieroglyphics found?

In Egypt carved into the walls of tombs, pyramids and on obelisks and statues.


What are tall structures carved from stone?

Obelisks.


What was carved in to the sides of the obelisks?

the eagle of there hometown


What obelisks chant?

It means a dagger in greek