Egyptian granite
Egyptian granite is a natural stone and a type of igneous rock that is made up of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica. It is one of the best and finest types of granite in the world compared to other types, and therefore because of its high quality, durability and long-life span. The evidence for this is that the Pharaohs used granite in building pyramids and obelisks, and Egyptian granite stones remained for more than 7 years. Thousands of years. Now granite is used in a wide range of projects.
In this article, we will talk about granite from ancient Egypt, and Granite properties and uses.
Granite from ancient Egypt
The history of Egyptian granite dates back to the Pharaohs, as we mentioned in the previous paragraph, when it was used in the manufacture of utensils and bowls. Then it was used to build obelisks, statues, temples, sarcophagi, and of course, pyramids. The ancient Egyptians were skilled in quarrying stones and working with granite.
where did ancient Egyptians get granite from?
Granite is found in the city of Aswan and its surroundings, and it is also found in the Eastern Desert and Sinai. Pink granite is considered the most common type of granite, with gray granite also being present.
Properties and types of Egyptian Granite
In the previous paragraph, we talked about granite in ancient Egypt, and now we will move on to talking about its types and features. You must know, dear reader, that Egyptian granite is a very hard and durable stone and resistant to scratches, heat, and weather factors. And its colors are unique.
This is one of the most famous types of Egyptian granite, the red Aswan granite, which was widely used in Pharaonic architecture. It is characterized by its durability, warm color and corrosion resistance. It was used to make statues, obelisks and sarcophagi. The other most common type is gray granite, and this type is characterized by a cooler and calmer color than red Aswan granite. It was also used in the construction of obelisks, statues, walls and floors of temples and palaces.
What are the uses of Granite from ancient Egypt?
Did you know that the use of granite was not limited to temples, statues, and architecture only? Did you know that granite in ancient Egypt symbolized power and wealth?
Granite was used in decorative objects such as vases, jewelry, and sculptures. Examples of these sculptures include the seated statue of Khafre located in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Which was carved from a single block of diorite, a type of dark granite, and this statue appears very realistic. When you look at it, you find it as if it were a real person sitting on the throne with his arm resting on his knee. There is also a statue of Ramesses II located in Luxor Temple in southern Egypt. This statue was carved from a single block of red granite.
Other uses are:
– The Great Pyramid of Giza, which is known as the Pyramid of Khufu, where the King’s Chamber and Queen’s Chamber are lined with red granite and black granite, respectively. This is in addition to many other pyramids.
– Statues of kings and queens, as granite was used to carve statues of Pharaonic kings and queens because it was considered a symbol of power and authority.
– Furniture and antiques found in palaces and temples.
– Luxor Temple: The Luxor Temple is distinguished by a huge obelisk of red granite, more than 82 feet high.
– Karnak Temple, which includes a huge hypostyle hall supported by 134 columns, many of which are made of red granite. and a red granite obelisk more than 75 feet high.
– Decorating tombs, as granite was used to decorate tombs and temples to add beauty and elegance to the decor.
– Sculpture and engraving to create various works of art that express ancient Egyptian civilization.
– The Great Sphinx of Giza, which is more than 66 feet high and is made of limestone with a granite head.
Now, after examining all of the work that granite was used in its construction, it is clear to us that granite was a popular choice for a variety of design and construction projects. This is certainly thanks to its unique colors and patterns, and besides the uses we mentioned, it was also a popular choice for kitchen countertops, flooring, and other interior and exterior applications.
In conclusion, granite will endure for thousands of years as a material of unique beauty and timeless durability, making it a popular choice for both ancient and modern construction and design projects. Therefore, if you are looking to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your kitchen, company, or home to get the same result of beauty and grandeur that we see in everything that was built with granite in ancient Egypt, then Egyptian granite from CIDG is an ideal choice for you.
Read More
Marble Stones for landscaping
Galala beige marble
Egyptian alabaster
