Chapter I: Front Matter

THE ASWÂN OBELISK

WITH SOME REMARKS ON THE ANCIENT ENGINEERING

SERVICE DES ANTIQUITÉS DE L’ÉGYPTE

THE ASWÂN OBELISK

WITH SOME REMARKS ON THE ANCIENT ENGINEERING

BY

R. ENGELBACH

CHIEF INSPECTOR, ANTIQUITIES DEPARTMENT

LE CAIRE IMPRIMERIE DE L’INSTITUT FRANÇAIS D’ARCHÉOLOGIE ORIENTALE

1922

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