# Egyptian Obelisk — WHE Definition Discussion

**URL:** <https://community.worldhistory.org/t/egyptian-obelisk-whe-definition-discussion/16413>\
**Category:** WHE Articles\
**Created:** [November 6, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/egyptian-obelisk-whe-definition-discussion/16413 "2016-11-06T17:51:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JPryst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/jpryst/32/168_2.png) [@JPryst](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/JPryst)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/egyptian-obelisk-whe-definition-discussion/16413/1 "2016-11-06T17:51:37Z")

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An obelisk is a stone rectangular pillar with a tapered top forming a pyramidion, set on a base, erected to commemorate an individual or event and honor the gods. The ancient Egyptians created the form at some point in the Early Dynastic Period (c. 3150-c. 2613 BCE) following their work in mud brick mastaba tombs and prior to the construction of the Step Pyramid of Djoser (c. 2670 BCE). It is thought that the earliest obelisks served as a kind of training for working in stone on monumental projects which was a necessary step toward pyramid building.

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_This is a companion discussion topic for the original content at [https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian\_Obelisk/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian_Obelisk/)._

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**Author:** ![JPryst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/jpryst/32/168_2.png) [@JPryst](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/JPryst)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/egyptian-obelisk-whe-definition-discussion/16413/2 "2026-07-30T19:23:18Z")

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Unlisted on July 30, 2026, 7:23pm UTC