The Aswân Obelisk / With some remarks on the Ancient Engineering

by Reginald Engelbach

CONTENTS

• INTRODUCTION.
  • [1.] Preliminary remarks • 1
  • [2.] Account of the clearance • 1, 2
• CHAPTER I.—DESCRIPTION OF THE OBELISK.
  • [3.] General description and dimensions • 3
  • [4.] Removal of top layers of rock by burning and wedging • 4, 5
  • [5.] Rough-dressing of north wall of north trench • 5
  • [6.] Test-shafts • 6
  • [7.] Cracks and fissures • 6, 7
  • [8.] Rendering the face of the obelisk flat • 7
  • [9.] Ancient guide-lines • 8
  • [10.] Later scheme for a smaller obelisk • 8
  • [11.] Comparison of later scheme with some known obelisks • 9
• CHAPTER II.—THE TRENCH.
  • [12.] Description • 11
  • [13.] Dolerite “pounders” and their use • 12, 13
  • [14.] Arrangement of workmen • 13, 14
  • [15.] Time taken in making trench • 14, 15
• CHAPTER III.—THE UPPER QUARRY-FACE.
  • [16.] Description • 17
  • [17.] Scales drawn on the rock • 18
  • [18.] Discussion on their nature • 18, 19
  • [19.] Traces of inscriptions • 20
  • [20.] Bed from which an obelisk (?) has been removed • 20, 21
• CHAPTER IV.—EXTRACTION OF OBELISK FROM QUARRY.
  • [21.] Possible detachment by means of wedges • 23
  • [22.] More probably completely undermined • 24
  • [23.] Reduction of labour by using levers • 24, 25
  • [24.] Sizes of ropes • 25
  • [25.] Chisels used in cutting wedge-slots • 25, 26
  • [26.] Suggestions by various authors on above subject • 26
  • [27.] Probability of tempering copper • 27
• CHAPTER V.—TRANSPORT OF OBELISKS.
  • [28.] Egyptian accounts of expeditions • 29, 30
  • [29.] Other accounts in later times • 30
  • [30.] Was the obelisk placed on rollers? • 31
  • [31.] Practical considerations • 31, 32
  • [32.] Possible use of sleds in conjunction with rollers • 32
  • [33.] Direction to be taken towards the Nile • 32
  • [34.] Notes on transport-boats • 32, 33
• CHAPTER VI.—ERECTION OF OBELISKS.
  • [35.] Paucity of ancient accounts • 35, 36
  • [36.] Theory of direct raising • 36
  • [37.] Theory of lowering off an embankment • 37
  • [38.] Probable use of rollers and levers • 37, 38
  • [39.] Use of capstans, gyns and blocks and tackles unlikely • 38
  • [40.] Obelisk probably lowered into funnel above pedestal • 38–41
  • [41.] Practical considerations • 41
  • [42.] Calculations of weight and centre of gravity • 42
  • [43.] Strains set up when obelisk is supported at its C. G. • 42, 43
• CHAPTER VII.—MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS AND CONCLUDING REMARKS.
  • [44.] Pot containing ochre • 45
  • [45.] Ostrakon from north trench • 45, 46
  • [46.] Greek inscriptions from neighbouring rock-face • 46
  • [47.] Need of further clearances • 47
• CHAPTER VIII.—BIBLIOGRAPHY.
  • [48]–56. Works quoted in volume, and those dealing with removals of obelisks in modern times • 49–54

LIST OF PLATES WITH REFERENCES TO DESCRIPTIONS.

• PLATE [I]
  • 1–5.—Plan of obelisk with sections • [3], [6]–10, [19]
  • 6.—Measuring(?)-lines on rock face • 12
• PLATE [II]
  • 1.—View of obelisk from the east • [3]
  • 2.—View of obelisk from the west • [3], [5], [7], [16]
• PLATE [III]
  • 1.—Bottom and side of trench • [12], [14]
  • 2.—Wedge and chisel marks • [4], [12]
  • 3.—Guide lines for a smaller obelisk • [4], [10], [12]
  • 4.—Rough chisel-dressing on a half-finished sarcophagus. “El-Hammâmât”; Shellâl • [12]
• PLATE [IV]
  • 1.—Hammer-dressing on the pyramidion • [14]
  • 2.—Stone hammer from Saqqârah • [4]
  • 3.—Construction of a sarcophagus lid by pounding • [13]
  • 4.—Embankment to the east of the obelisk • [33]
• PLATE [V]
  • 1.—Obelisk from the north, shewing platform and upper quarry-face • [4], [16]
  • 2.—Upper quarry-face and bed of a small obelisk • [16], [20]
  • 3.—Bed of small obelisk from above • [20]
  • 4.—Inscription on bed of small obelisk • [20]
• PLATE [VI]
  • 1.—Markings on upper quarry-face • [16], [19]
  • 2.—Section of above • [16], [19]
• PLATE [VII]
  • Sketch-plan of environs of obelisk • [31], [33]
• PLATE [VIII]
  • Suggested platform for the erection of an obelisk • [40], [41]

ASWÂN OBELISK
SCALE 1 : 100 [See [larger version].]

THE ASWÂN OBELISK WITH SOME REMARKS ON THE ANCIENT ENGINEERING.