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Egypt, Luxor Temple and the surviving obelisk, 1851

Egypt, Luxor Temple and the surviving obelisk, 1851 AD

Two obelisks of pink granite (not one) preceded the edifice of King Ramses II in the Luxor Temple. However, Muhammad Ali Pasha gifted one of these obelisks to France, where the western obelisk has adorned the Place de la Concorde in Paris since 1836.

Muhammad Ali Pasha granted permission to gift the two obelisks to France, but they faced significant difficulties during transportation. The lighter obelisk, the western obelisk weighing 220 tons, was chosen and transported to France.

Unfortunately, the western obelisk has never appeared in any photograph in its original location, as it was transferred to Paris in 1836 before the advent of cameras. However, the two obelisks only appeared in one of the drawings in the book Description of Egypt, which was published in 1809 AD.

The eastern obelisk, which now stands in front of the northern tower, is 22.52 meters high, with a base of 2.51 meters and a weight of 257 tons. It is distinguished by the prominent group of monkeys (four monkeys) that cheer the rising sun, carved on its base. The name and titles of King Ramses II are inscribed in hieroglyphic inscriptions on these two obelisks. Atop the obelisks is a representation of Ramses II offering sacrifices to the god Amun.

Perhaps the reason for the obelisk's placement in front of the temple complex—in addition to its role as a symbol of the sun—was to announce the location of the temple from afar, especially since these obelisks had pointed domes and were most likely covered with a layer of gilded copper to maintain their luster.