The New York Obelisk, Cleopatra's Needle

The New York Obelisk (Cleopatra's Needle) c. 1425 B.C.E. (erected at the Temple of the Sun, Heliopolis, Egypt, re-erected in Alexandria 13 B.C.E.), red granite from Aswan, c. 71 feet high (since 1881 Greywacke Knoll, Central Park, New York City)
speakers: Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay and Dr. Steven Zucker

[@scoon2117]

I bet whoever built it couldnt imagine that it would sit in some futuristic metropolis someday.

[@steviechampagne]

The more i learn about the ancient Egyptians, the more I think they could imagine it…. 3000 years later and we are STILL incredibly fascinated and captivated by the the great Egyptians of old. There is something timeless and futuristic about the ancient egyptians. All of Western civilization both ancient and modern was profoundly influenced by Egypt

[@DAnjouAguilar]

I believe that was the point...

[@blahmooblah789]

I agree! I think they would be very pleased but not shocked

[@doeixo]

In its first 1400 years probably someone did

[@Sasha0927]

You guys never cease to surprise me, lol. I haven't seen many Egyptian pieces since the ancient art playlists, so I was immediately intrigued. I had no idea there was an obelisk in Central Park, but of course there is. I've really gotta get up there for the accents, pizza, and architecture. There was a ton of interesting history in this one - the efforts to move this 220-ton(!!!) object alone was fascinating to hear about. The crab detail was mildly hilarious. I'm reminded to pay careful attention to objects around me. You never know where easter eggs may be hiding. Speaking of hiding, the video's ending was funny too. Send that storm my way - I love them! Another classic. ❤

[@brianbroadus6857]

Heliopolis -- where the Cairo airport is today, and a streetcar suburb developed by the Belgian Empain -- once hosted dozens of obelisks, of which only one remains, and it is the oldest obelisk in Egypt standing as it was originally placed. The Khedive, by the way, was not Egyptian himself, but part of the Albanian dynasty established by Muhammad Ali Basha in 1807 that ruled Egypt until 1952.

[@ahmedelkhwaga2751]

That's why he was kicked out of Egypt

[@2002yannick1]

I lover every video, but get extra happy when it is set in NY, NY has the best history and amazing art!

[@martijnkeisers5900]

I think its a rather modest location for such an amazing ancient monument. The splendor of the obelisk needs a square like in Rome and Paris.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

The planners considered a traffic circle (I think they specifically considered Columbus Circle) but concluded that the towers then starting to rise in NYC would quickly overshadow the monument. Rome and Paris both protect their historic centers. In New York, the Landmark Preservation Commission (bless them) rarely has the ability to challenge the city's real estate interests. The monument would have been quickly swallowed by vastly taller buildings.

[@bookofdust]

During an internship at the Met in the 80s I was working the information desk with a fellow intern when someone came in and asked him about where Cleopatra’s Needle was located. At a loss, he said maybe in Cleopatra’s sewing basket? Luckily, I knew what it was and sent them outback.

[@evansbowen6897]

I go to see cleopatra needle every time I go to New York-- such a sacred space.

[@kenichinishikawa7007]

I visited Alexandria about ten years ago. But I didn’t know where these obelisks were stood. I saw one in London many years ago.

[@sherryzimmerman9220]

Gifts such as this share how Egypt or elsewhere point out how “Artwork pieces continue to PAY IT FORWARD “ to the future with SmartHistory’s excellent pairings of docents……

[@DJL78]

Fascinating as always!

[@CTF33]

I visited central park over 23 years ago and saw this obelisk. Recently, I've become more interested in Egyptology, and just last year I visited Obelisks in Paris, Rome, Istanbul, and Egypt.

[@wodenss8149]

There are 13 ancient Egyptian obelisks in Rome Italy

[@TheBasedCanadian]

The rain can't be good for it

[@ehulbert5]

It’s granite, it will outlast the whole city.

[@kenichinishikawa7007]

I saw Cleopatra’s needle many times. I know about it but I was not aware of some of issues. I saw the obelisk in Paris last October.

[@French-Kiss24]

This amazes me. I can’t think how many times I’ve gone to the Metropolitan Museum and hung out in the Egyptian section. Yet, I never knew about this obelisk. On my next visit back home, I’ll definitely pay it a visit.

[@All4mula]

Piece has amazing history

[@tony8074]

Wouldn’t it be better for such an ancient artifact to be placed indoors.

[@marcobelli6856]

Also in Rome and Egypt they are mostly in the open and are as old as this one. I don’t know why they leave them outside

[@CTF33]

It would be even better if it were placed back in Egypt.

[@ehulbert5]

It will outlast the entire city right where it is.

[@gilbertnicholas1582]

Truly amazing work by the Egyptians

[@aaronschaefer4167]

2:50 Just a note how they loaded the obelisk into the steam ship: through a hole they had to have cut in the side of the ship, in dry dock! Wow!

[@Grapestowine]

Did they find anything at the base?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

The base was found under the obelisk. It had been buried.

[@LookintomyBarrel]

Cant believe it didn't break...

[@johnvonachen1672]

I made the mistake of not seeking out this thing when I happened to have been in New York and at the met. These obelisks were commissioned by hapshetput, not cleopatra, cleopatra any number you want came at least 1400 years after the only woman to have been pharaoh. This should be made into a movie the history of these three obelisks. One in Rome which ended up in front of the Vatican, one in Paris or London, I can’t remember which, and this one in New York.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

This was commissioned by Thutmose III, not Hatshepsut or Cleopatra, as the video notes. You might also be interested in the fact that there are quite a few more than three ancient Egyptian obelisks. There are quite a number in Rome, some remain in Egypt, Paris and London as you note, but elsewhere as well.

[@varoonnone7159]

Just like Paris' oldest monument is the Obelisk on the Place de la Concorde

[@ehulbert5]

There are at least a dozen in Rome, all floated across the Mediterranean by the ancient Romans.

[@LandofPunt1]

Why do you call it cleopatra’s needle? It was built more than 1000 years before she was alive

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Public nicknames aren't known for being historically rigorous.

[@maxwalker1159]

Cool

[@saayamsingh3620]

👏👏

[@starcrib]

This needs to be moved inside in a protected environment- it's in deplorable condition. 🔳 ☄️☄️☄️✨️

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Its worn condition is largely the result of the centuries it spent toppled over in Egypt. About a decade ago, the obelisk was extensively cleaned, stabilized, and documented.

[@starcrib]

​@smarthistoryvideos good to know- when I saw it - it seemed acid rain washed. 🌿✨️🌿