The logistics are staggering! A single-piece granite statue at Tanis weighs a minimum 1,000 tons and was hauled roughly 1,000 km from Aswan. At Karnak, a red quartzite standing statue traveled ~900 km upriver against the current from a quarry north of Cairo. Quartzite is even harder than granite. How?! 🪨
Logistical challenge of transporting 1,000-ton stone statues
Egyptunverified
Key facts
- Single-piece granite statue at Tanis (Egypt) estimated at minimum 1,000 tons, transported ~1,000 km from Aswan
- Red quartzite standing statue at Karnak moved approximately 900 km upriver against the current from quarry north of Cairo
- Quartzite is harder to carve than granite
- Foot of Karnak statue comparable in size to Statue of Liberty's foot but solid granite not hollow bronze
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