obeliskos

Obeliskos is a term originating from ancient Greek, literally meaning "little spit" or "skewer." In classical antiquity, it referred to a type of ancient Egyptian obelisk, characterized by its tall, four-sided, narrow, tapering monument that ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top. These obelisks were typically carved from a single piece of stone, most commonly granite, and erected in pairs at the entrances of temples. They served a variety of purposes, including religious dedication, commemoration of pharaohs, and astronomical observation. The largest and most famous examples were quarried in Aswan. Many ancient Egyptian obelisks have since been transported to various locations around the world, often as spoils of war or diplomatic gifts. The term obeliskos itself has been adopted into modern languages to describe these monumental structures.