Hatshepsut raised her obelisks in the Wadjet Hall [Karnak] as part of a larger series of renovations to this area, including the erection of wooden papyri-form pillars and a wooden roof. She commemorates the addition of these obelisks to the temple on her red quartzite bark shrine, the “red chapel.” Inscriptions on these monoliths recorded the celebration of her jubilee festival in her 16th regnal year. The obelisks were covered with small scenes of the queen (depicted as a male pharaoh) making offerings to the gods. The southern obelisk has fallen, but its upper section is on display near the sacred lake. The northern obelisk still graces the temple today.
- Measurements: The northern obelisk stands 30m high. The southern obelisk (now fallen) would have stood to the same height.
- Construction materials: rose granite
SOURCE: Digital Karnak
(via historicwomendaily)
