OBELISK OF HELIOPOLIS

Dating to the Middle Kingdom (2050-1786 B.C.), this is the oldest surviving giant obelisk. An inscription on it says, "The first occasion of the Jubilee, he made [it] to be given life forever." A Jubilee was traditionally given in the 30th year of a pharaoh's reign, so scholars believe Sesostris I erected the obelisk in 1942 B.C. Once part of a pair, its companion was thought to have toppled sometime in the 12th century A.D.

The first mention of these obelisks in the historical literature may come from a chapter of Isaiah by St. Epheaim (fourth century A.D.), who wrote that in Heliopolis "there are two great columns which excite admiration...On these columns are depicted figures of the men and animals which were shown by their priestly character to contain the mysteries of paganism." Yakut, an Arab historian of the 13th century, wrote that locals called them Messalat Far'un, or "Pharaoh's Packing Needles."

Abdel Rafty, an Arab physician, recorded his travels around in late 12 century. It says, "One is fallen in 2 pieces, and one is still standing, but it is stained by copper green from the pyramidian at its apex due to rain. It shows the elapsed time." The historian assumes that it have toppled sometime in the 12th century A.D., probably in 1158. The obelisk was probably toppled intentionally as the local people doubted if the treasure may be hidden at its apex, according to British historian E. A. Wallis Budge. (Source: "The Cleopatra's Needles and Other Egyptian Obelisks", 1926 The Religious Tract Society)

Neither the Temple nor the fallen obelisk exist at present. They were probably plundered and used for the parts of another architecture. One obelisk remains standing alone. A small park has recently been arranged around the obelisk, and is illuminated at night.

Stats:

Location: Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt
Pharaoh: Sesostris I (reigned 1972-1928 B.C.)
Height: 67 feet
Weight: 120 tons
Inscription: Click Here