Unfinished Obelisk Weight Exceeds Ancient Egyptian Transport Capability. The unfinished obelisk weighs approximately 1,200 tons The Lateran Obelisk weighs around 455 tons and took several decades to complete Evidence indicates best ancient Egyptian ships could transport up to 500 tons
Aswan obelisk weighs ~1,200 tons, >2x the 500-ton ship limit. The 2.6x multiplier is wrong—it's ~2.2x. Video mentions 2023 paper, Lateran Obelisk, cranes.
Key Facts
- The unfinished obelisk weighs approximately 1,200 tons
- The Lateran Obelisk weighs around 455 tons and took several decades to complete
- Evidence indicates best ancient Egyptian ships could transport up to 500 tons
- The unfinished obelisk is 2.6 times heavier than maximum ancient transport capacity
- A 2023 paper found dolerite pounding was inadequate for excavating the obelisk
- No chisel marks found in the trench supporting alternative methods
- Modern Liebherr LTM 11200-9.1 crane (2007) has 1,200 ton lifting capacity
Related site: Aswan, Quarry (north) — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Scoop Marks on Unfinished Obelisk: What Tools were Used? How were they formed? by Curious Being