-Tall, tapering 4-sided monument
-made from one piece of granite
-9 to 32 metres tall
-weighs over 400 tons

-had a pyramid shape at the top
-sometimes covered in gold, copper or other metals
-to catch rays of the sun

-inscribed on all 4 sides
-usually described Pharoah's greatest achievements or titles

Obelisks were important because
-symbolized a Pharoah's connection to the Sun God Ra
-essential it was made from one single piece of granite
-no cracks or fissures

-workers used round, harder than granite rock to pound away granite
-day after day, month after month
-until trench formed the side of the obelisk on both sides

-workers would hew the obelisk from the quarry
-then transport it by large Ancient Egyptian boats or barges
-on the Nile River to the designated location
-for over 1000 kilometres away

Obelisk is a very important piece of Egyptian architecture.