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Fragment of a Model Obelisk, ca. 1481-1479 B.C.E.. Egyptian alabaster (calcite), 2 13/16 x 1 1/8 x 1 1/4 in. (7.2 x 2.8 x 3.2 cm). Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 05.333. Creative Commons-BY.
An obelisk is a four-sided, tapering stone pillar with a pyramidal top called a benben. The benben represents the primordial mound where the Egyptians believe the sun god stood when he created the universe. Huge obelisks in front of temples symbolized solar creation. The size of this piece suggests that it once belonged to a temple model, such as the Dynasty 19 model gateway exhibited in the Later Egypt gallery.