Talk:Obelisk

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Contents

[edit] List and number of obelisks

Can anyone verify the numbers given for quantities of obelisks in different countries? Everywhere i check I seem to get a different set of numbers. Notably [1], and [2] Pdefer | !! 03:43, 2004 Nov 25 (UTC)

When I re-wrote this article I carefully verified the figures listed against the most reliable sources. There is a lot of confusion and even trusty looking sources count some things twice. Also there is a question over inclusion of Axumite obelisks (Hence my separating these). Most confusion is over 'egyptian' obelisks which may be Roman copies. I think we will have to wait until next year when a new book is published which may answer these problems: Susan Sorek The Emperor's Needles: Obelisks in Rome (Bristol Phoenix Press 2005) ISBN 1904675301. --mervyn 09:03, 25 Nov 2004 (UTC)
The numbers of Egyptian obelisks don't add up now. This page says 28, but lists 27 (8+1+1+12+1+3+1). The one in Arles was moved to its own section as a Roman copy - this may be reason for the error. However, the lists also says 12 Egyptian obelisiks in Rome, and mentions five known Roman copies but obelisks in Rome says there are 11, two of which are Roman copies, and does not mention five other copies at all.
The articles should at least be self-consistent and consistent with each other, even if attribution is a matter of debate. Can anyone help? -- ALoan (Talk) 13:14, 17 February 2006 (UTC)
I’ve just corrected the list total, to agree with the text.It looks as if everything else was fixed a long time ago.The list now gives 27 Egyptian obelisks, with 12 in Italy, of which 8 are in Rome; this also agrees with the page "obelisks in Rome", which has 8 (plus 5 roman and 4 modern copies, and 1 from Axum ). Swanny18 15:48, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
Looks like Italy subtotal is still wrong: 8 in Rome plus the three others listed = 11. So grand total is 26 (8+1+1+11+1+3+1). Is that right? --mervyn 16:40, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
With the addition of the Nectanebo II in the British Museum it now totals 27: (8 + 1 + 1 + 11 + 1 + 4 + 1 = 27). --mervyn 12:24, 4 August 2007 (UTC)
You're right, only 11 in Italy; and now another in Britain to make up the 27. Nice work! Swanny18 14:27, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Pictures

I am sorry, but I cannot figure out how to post a message, so I shall resort to using that of others. I would simply like to bring to the attention of people that in the obelisk article, the two pictures are the same, yet they are labeled as different. Thank you.

[edit] Urbino

For the Urbino obelisk, see Roberto Piperno's page, toward the bottom, and Carlitos Lunghi's page. Further details are given on my own site, (Platner, Obelisci Isei Campensis): notice that the Urbino obelisk is a reconstruction concocted from two authentic Egyptian obelisks. Bill 11:28, 23 July 2005 (UTC)

[edit] War memorials

Many war memorials in Britain are obelisk shaped, though most are not so tall that one would include them in a list of modern obelisks. The one in Southport, Lancashire that I just added to the list is particularly tall and impressive. It is the central focus of Lord Street, and is of an unusually grand scale for a provincial town. I took some photos of it today. DFH 21:31, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Knoxville, Tennessee

I removed the editorial comment, "You can do the research or cover this up too." which is not appropriate to include in the main article. I have retained the word "allegedly", but this still needs a source citing. DFH 21:45, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

"Do a search for it on the web or go take a picture of it yourself it is there (or was) Just like the Georgia Guidestones folks want to ignor. Why does this entry need citations but others do not? The mayor that put it up was an alumni of Yale, ask him if he doesnt say it is "too secret to talk about"?Qbert203 04:59, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
I don’t understand the question here.Is the issue why a citation is needed? Or is there a query whether there is an obelisk in Knoxville at all? Or if it was put up by Mayor Ashe? Or if it commemorated the events of 11 Sept? Does anyone know the answer? Swanny18 15:58, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Tallest obelisk?

Many sources still cite the Washington Monument as the world's tallest obelisk. The San Jacinto Monument stands in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest monument column in the world, and it is 15 feet taller than the Washington Monument. I suppose that there may be some arguments as to what truly classes as an obelisk. The top of the San Jacinto is somewhat more ornate than a simple pyramid. DFH 18:58, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

The definition at the top of the article page would exclude the San Jacinto monument, as it is octagonal, and has a star on top. It would more properly be a stele, I think. Swanny18 16:02, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Construction

It would be nice to see some information about the construction of obelisks (especially ancient Egyptian ones, but not only those). A good source is Nova's video about Egyptian obelisks. I could write a paragraph or two about that, if that would be appreciated.
Qbert203 04:59, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Yes, good idea. Give it a try! Swanny18 16:04, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Band entry

This entry keeps coming and going; its been moved,deleted and replaced a number of times :-

"Obelisk is a progressive and melodic death metal band with female operatic elements from ballard washington.
band started in 1999 with Ryan Nairn on lead vocals and lead guitar.
myspace.com/obelisknorthwest".

Should it be kept? (It's currently deleted, I think)And if so, where? Opinions? Swanny18 16:31, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] List of notable modern obelisks

This list is in danger of getting out of hand: There are thousands of obelisks in Britain alone (every other graveyard or war memorial will have one); do we really want to list them all here?
How about a separate page for such a list, for the ones here now, and any new ones, and some guidelines on what to include on this page (tallest, or oldest, from each country, maybe?). Swanny18 (talk) 17:11, 27 December 2007 (UTC)

Also, I’ve put a note on the list in the page to say it’s in date order, as it really wasn’t clear at first; I was in the process of re-arrangeing them all before I realized. Swanny18 (talk) 17:12, 27 December 2007 (UTC)

No we don't want to list them all, hence notable - basically historically significant and-or large ones! I think the list is manageable at current size without splitting, but could be tidied. --mervyn (talk) 09:00, 28 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] A Big 'why'

An explanation why an Egyptian symbol of sun worship has become so popular in the west would be interesting - particularly since sun worship is inherently pagan, and yet several of these things were erected in post-pagan Rome. Apparently there are some connections to freemasonry, particularly the Washington monument which was quite openly laid by freemasons. If someone could answer these questions and add some info it would be great. . —This unsigned comment was added by 41.245.144.80 (talk • contribs) 00.07, 20 January 2008 .

[edit] uh,,, i

what is this???? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.37.66.119 (talk) 23:56, 25 January 2008 (UTC).


[edit] Obelisks

obelisks are tall monuments made out of a large slab of stone. they will normally have hieroglyphics on them. there are many located in rome and only eight remain in egypt —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.37.66.119 (talk) 23:57, 25 January 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the enlightenment. Swanny18 (talk) 11:32, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

________________________________________________________________-

Hmmmm so the most profound monument intended for the Sun God since the beginning of time (before it was copied) stolen from the dead egyptian powers who hauled it to rome just in time to usher in another god called Jesus to replace their confusing uncontrollable multi god world? Egyptians NEW how to control people through religon and the intellegent Romans (and constantine) new and took advantage of this strategy. I dont like accusations and Im not one to buy into things but I cant avoid such coincidences forever and you may already have the answers u wanted.

One god one word one government —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.116.204.247 (talk) 17:40, 18 May 2008 (UTC)