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The Top-50 Stones:
(The largest cut-stones of all
time).
One of the most remarkable of prehistoric human
achievements was our ability to work with stone on a seemingly gigantic and
effortless scale, which apart from the technical implications, reveals the
presence of sophisticated and complex people, who proved themselves to be
anything but primitive.
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The current
largest known cut-stone from the ancient world
can still be
seen at Ba'albek, Lebanon.
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Scroll down to see the Top-50 stones.
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 1)
Ba'albek,
Lebanon.
(The 'Stone of the South', 'Hadjar
el Gouble').
Measures
20.9m x 4.8m x 3m = 300m³.
Estimates
on the original weight of this stone vary from 1,000 tons to a regular 1,500
tons (1), and upwards.
The highest estimate of the unfinished stone's weight was 2,000 tons (7,
11).
Three other smaller stones under
'The Grand Terrace'
are also estimated to weigh from between 750 and 1,000 tons each (9), and
there are several other colossal stones to be seen around the great 'Temple
of the Sun' at Ba'albek.
The stones were cut
from
red granite,
with the largest 'The stone of
the south'
(as seen above), still attached to the bedrock. All the large stones used
for the temple of the sun at Ba'albek were quarried from the same
location, and taken over half a mile
uphill to
build the great temple.
As t he
largest megaliths known to man, this site qualifies as one of the wonders
of the ancient world. However, in an embarrassingly regretful indication
of our age this phenomenal relic has been recently vandalised and defaced
beyond repair.
(More about Ba'albek) |
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 2)
The Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan, Egypt. -
Measures
120-feet (42m) and would have weighed over 1,168 tons when complete.
This
incredible stone is more than twice the size of any known obelisk ever
raised. Quarrymen apparently abandoned the obelisk when natural fractures appeared
in its sides. However, the stone, still attached to bedrock, gives important
clues to how the ancients quarried granite. Much of the red granite used for
ancient temples and colossi came from quarries in the Aswan area (500 miles
south of Cairo). The Unfinished Obelisk still lies where a crack was
discovered as it was being hewn from the rock. Possibly intended as a
companion to the
Lateran
Obelisk
(see below),
originally at
Karnak, now in Rome.
(More about the Unfinished obelisk)
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 3 )
The Colossi of Memnon, Egypt.
-
2x1,000 tons (11), 2x600 tons (2)
These two giants are
built from a single piece of stone each. They are orientated towards the
sunrise at winter solstice (12)
The mortuary temple, built for the
eighteenth-dynasty king Amenhotep III (c. 1390-1352 BC), that once stood
behind these two figures was completely stripped for its masonry.
(Other examples of extreme
Egyptian masonry)
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4 )
The Black Pagoda, India. -
Fix records that it has a 25 ft (7.5m), thick capstone. 1,000 tons (11)
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5)
Israel -
The Western Wall Stone, from the Western wall tunnel,
Israel
-
The Largest stone is estimated at 38ft 9inches (11.625m long). Estimates of
weight vary from 500 to 600 tons.
'The wall had an original height of from seventy to one hundred and fourty
feet. In places it is built from bottom to top of large squared stones,
bevelled at the edges and varying between 97.5cm and 1.80m in height. The
stones are laid without cement. The longest hitherto discovered measures
11.625m in length (not less than one hundred tonnes). Many of the other
blocks are from half to two thirds of this height. The massiveness of the
work is on par with the Egyptian pyramid-Kings; and the perfection of the
cutting and fitting of the stones is nearly equal.'
(1).
The stone has a length of 13.6 meters, a width estimated
between 3.5 to 4.5 meters; estimates place the weight at 570 tons. (Ref:
Wilkopedia.org)
(More about Jerusalem)
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6) Ethiopia - The Stellae of Axum (Aksum).
The area of Axum is home to what was once seven large stellae, all
decorated in the same style, with doors and windows and astral imagery
at the top. The largest
(still standing) is 21m high (70ft) but there were larger with the heaviest, now fallen and
broken estimated to have originally weighed in at around 500 tons.
(Ref: BBC. 'Around the world in eighty treasures' BBC2 - 29th
Nov 2007)
Axum was the ancient
political and religious capital of Ethiopia. Though the exact date
of its founding is not known, it is known that the Queen of Sheba,
who reigned around 1000 B.C. had Axum as her royal capital. Axum was
also rumoured to be the home of the Ark of the covenant.
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7). Temple of Sais, Egypt.
Weaver (19)
quotes Wilkinson's ''Manners and customs of Egypt', who in
turn quotes Herodotus concerning a stone edifice near the temple
(at Sais) -
"But
what in my opinion deserves the greatest admiration, is an edifice
of a single stone, brought from the city of Elephantine, a
distance of about twenty days journey. Two thousand men of the
class of boatmen were employed for the space of three years in
transporting it to Sais. Its external length is twenty-one cubits,
its breadth is fourteen, and height eight; and in the inside it
measures eighteen cubits and twenty digits in length, twelve in
breadth and five in height. It stands near the entrance of the
temple."
(Ref: Herodotus. Vol i. p. 190).
The Ancient Egyptian
unit of linear measurement, known as the Royal
Cubit, was maintained as
523.5mm in length, and was
subdivided into 7 palms of 4 digits each. (Ref: Wilkipedia). The stone in
question therefore measured as follows:
(External dimensions) - 10.99m x 7.33m x 4.19m = 337.5m ³.
(1000+ tons)
(Internal
cavity) - 9.81m x 6.28m x 2.62m = 161.4m³.
(500+ tons)
Estimated weight of
remaining stone
= 500+ tons.
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 9)
Sacsayhuaman, Peru
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(The Andes. North of
Cuzco).
The largest stone is 28 ft high (8.4m) and is estimated to weigh between 440
tons (5) and 361 tons (9).
Altitude 17,800 ft. The
site shows evidence of
(Vitrification)
(Ref: 2). Located on the outskirts of the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco. It
rests on an artificially levelled mountaintop, and consists of three outer
lines of gargantuan walls, 1,500 ft long and 54 ft wide, surrounding a paved
area containing a circular stone structure believed to be a solar calendar.
The ruins also include a 500,000 gallon water reservoir, storage cisterns,
ramps, citadels and underground chambers. The stone blocks weigh from
between 50 tons, to one at 361 tons (28 ft high) (21). A Block on the outer
walls, for example, has faces cut to fit perfectly with 12 other blocks.
Other blocks were cut with as many as 36 sides. All the blocks were fitted
together so precisely that a thickness gauge could not be inserted between
them. The quarries for the stones are located 20 miles away, on the other
side of a mountain range and a deep river gorge. Within a few hundred yards
of the complex is a single stone that was carved from the mountainside,
moved some distance, and then abandoned. The stone contains steps, platforms
and depressions, probably intended as a part of the fortifications. It now
sits upside-down, the size of a five-storey house. (9).
(More about Sacsayhuaman)
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Acosta, in his "History of the Indes," lib. vi., p.459,
as quoted by Maurice "Observations connected with
astronomy and the ancient history of Babylon",
states that some of the stones in the Mexican temples to Sun and Moon
measure 38 feet by 18 feet by 6 feet. (38 x 18 x 6 = 4104 ft³) = (11.5 x
5.45 x 1.8 = 112.8 m³) (12).
estimated
weight of stones - approx 300 -400 tons.
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 10)
Le Grand Menhir Brise, Brittany, France -
Over 20m high.
Estimated weigh 300-350 tons.
This giant now lies at the end of a Neolithic
long barrow, broken in four pieces. The stone was believed by Prof. A.
Thom. to be used to mark positions in the lunar cycle.
It is now known that this stone was once the largest of 19
menhirs, erected around 4,500 BC, which originally stood in an alignment forming a line of decreasing
height from Le Grand Menhir downwards.
(More about 'Le Grand Menhir Brisé')
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 11)
The 'Lateran' Obelisk, Rome.
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Originally erected by Seti I, in the temple of Amon, Karnak. The obelisk is
106 ft high, weighs approximately 330 tons, and was once the tallest obelisk
in Egypt. The Lateran obelisk had a base weighing 174 tons. (16)
In 40AD, the emperor Caligula had the stone dragged to Rome. It now stands
in the square of St. John Lateran in Rome.
In 1586 AD, the Italian artist Domenico
Fontana moved the 327-tonne Egyptian obelisk from in front of St. Peters
Basilisk to the centre of the square. To achieve the necessary amount of
lift, he used 40 windlasses, which necessitated a combined force of 800 men
and 140 horses (14)
(Other Egyptian Obelisks) |
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 12) Karnak,
Egypt
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Karnak now only contains three obelisks, all made of pink granite from the Aswan
quarries 186 miles upriver.
Two obelisks still stand from the reigns of King Thutmose I (c. 1528-1510
BC), and Queen Hatshepsut (c. 1490-1486 BC), and are said to weigh
approximately 300 tons each (232 tons - Ref-16), with a height of 29.5
metres.
Hancock (8), estimated the
Thutmosis I obelisk to stand at '21.3m high and weighs an estimated 143
tonnes', and mentions an inscriptions which tells us that the obelisk was
once covered with electron - (An alloy of gold and silver). (8).
A third obelisk, of which only the
upper 9 metres still remain, lies nearby. Also raised in the time of Queen
Hatshepsut, this obelisk is estimated to have originally weighted 320 tons
(only 70 tons now remains). This obelisk, when thumped, is known to have
resonant qualities, that last for up to 30 seconds. (14)
This last obelisk was also once part of a pair - the other was erected in
the place de Concorde, France in 1836
and is estimated to weigh about 300 tons.
(4).
(More about Karnak)
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 13 )
Korea. -
Maurice Chatelain recorded a dolmen in east
Korea with a 600 ton capstone (13).
Korea has the highest concentration of
dolmens in the world, with over 30,000, possessing between 40% and 50% of
the worlds total.
The island of Ganghwa contains several
dolmens, one of which has the
biggest recorded stone in South Korea and measures at 2.6 x 7.1 x 5.5
meters. (101.53 m³)
The Ganghwa dolmen are accredited with
capstones weighing 300 tons, but there is no support for Chatelain's mention
of a 600 ton capstone.
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14) El Endrillado, Chile -
The blocks are roughly rectangular, some as large as 12 to 16 ft high, 20 to
30 ft long, and weighing several hundred tons.
On the plateau of Endrillado, 233 stone
blocks are placed geometrically in an amphitheatre-like arrangement.. As at
Tiahuanaco, huge chairs of stone
have been found in the ruins, each weighing approx 10 tons. Three standing
stones were placed in the very centre of the plateau, each 3 to 4 ft in
diameter. Measurements reveal that two of the stones are perfectly aligned
with magnetic north, while a line through one of these and the third stone
points to the midsummer sunrise. (9).
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 15) The
Puma Punka -
'Gate of the Puma', Tiahuanaco, Bolivia.
Altitude 13,000 ft. Biggest Stones (200 tons - Ref: Fix), (At least 200 tons - Ref: 5)
The two enormous sandstone blocks in the foreground of the photo (right),
are estimated to weigh between 200 and 300 tons each.
The nearest source of sandstone is at least 20km away.
One of the most mysterious and enigmatic sites in south America, due to its
height and spectacular masonry.
Certain of these
andesite blocks resembles a machinist's
work, with straight, true edges and countersunk geometrical shapes. Some of
the Sandstone and Aandesite blocks are over 27 feet long. The nearest source
for this material is 20 km to the north. (5)
(More about Tiahuanaco)
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16) Gebeil (and Tortosa)
-
The largest stones measure 39 ft x 7 ft (11.7m x 2.1m = 24.57m²
x ?) (Ref:1) |
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17) Cyprus - The Temple of Paphos
-
The largest stones measure 16ft x 8ft (4.8m x 2.4m = 11.52m²
x ?).
'The
Temple has a double enceinte or parabolas, both of them oblong squares, the
outer one 700 ft long by 630 ft broad, the inner 224 ft by 165. The two
parabola are symmetrically placed, and were of the usual colossal masonry.
The material used was bluish granite, not to be found in the country, which
can only have been brought either from Egypt or Cilicia.'
(1)
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18) The Maximus, Rome - Obelisk moved from Egypt by Emperor
Augustus, along the spine of the chariot course of the 'Maximus', in
Rome. According to Pliny, the 75ft porphyry needle weighed 200 tons or
more. (16)
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19)
Cayonu,
Turkey -
Megalithic stonework and Building as at
Ghiza's 'Valley temple'
(To be confirmed)
(More about Cayonu) |
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 20)
Ollantiatambo, S. America -
Altitude 10,000 ft. (Biggest Stones estimated
at 100 - 200 tons)
A Pre-Inca fortress, with rock walls of
tightly fitted blocks weighing between 150 and 250 tons each. Most of the
blocks consist of a hard andesite, the quarries for which are situated on a
mountaintop seven miles distant. As well as the difficulties that must have
been experienced in dressing the stones, they had to be lowered down one
mountain, over (presumably), a river canyon with 1000 ft sheer rock walls,
then raised up the mountain the complex is situated on. (9).
(More about Ollantiatambo)
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 21)
Cueva de la menga, Antequera, Spain - One of three huge megalithic mounds
in the area. As well as
being composed of several gigantic stones, the entrance capstone to
the primary mound, known as Cueva de la Menga, is said to weigh
160-180 tons.(15)
The chamber is supported by three
pillars, and is said to have the largest chamber in Europe (25m x 6m
at its widest).
The mound faces the famous Pena de los
Enamorados mountain that resembles a face looking upwards, suggested
as a possible reason for its orientation and/or location.
A 30m well has recently been discovered
perfectly carved into the bedrock, and still with water in it. |
 22)
Easter Island - Largest moai: Location: Rano Raraku Quarry, named "El
Gigante". Height: 71.93 feet, (21.60 meters). Weight: approximately 145-165
tons (160-182 metric tons).
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Largest carved stone (still unfinished), approx 400 tonnes. (3).
Note on Photo (Right): Zink (5), estimates
the largest 'Moai' on the island at 90 tons ('length 90ft, still in
quarry'), so the picture provided is only
demonstrative rather than the actual stone.
(Note the person in pit for scale).
(More on Easter Island)
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 23 )
Dol-de Bretagne, Champ Dolent, France. - (Route
795)
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Sits on the border of Brittany and Normandy. Stands 9.5m high. Has an estimated weight of 150
tons. (4)
ONE OF THE
LARGEST TWO STANDING STONES IN FRANCE.
Nearby mount Dol is said
to have been the place where Lucifer fought St. Michael. The Stone is in
alignment with Mont Dol and Dol Cathedral. For more about this see the
Ancient France Homepage, or the page
on Mont St.
Michael.
(More about the Dol-de-Breton)
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 24 )
Kerloas Menhir. Nr Plouharnel, Brittany, France.
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Estimated weight 150 tons. Height 9.5m.
Although Paturi (4), claimed this to be the largest standing stone in France.
And although once correct, that claim is now technically no longer so as, following the loss of the
top 1.5m, it now stands at the same height as the Dol-de Bretagne
(above), but with a smaller girth.
ONE OF THE
LARGEST TWO STANDING STONES IN FRANCE.
(Click here for a
list of the largest Menhirs in France)
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25)
Egypt, Dashur -
In the 'unfinished' brick pyramid located
at Dashur, the quartzite cask, even after being emptied, still weighs nearly
145 metric tons; as for the sealing slab, which weight 83 metric tons, it is
still in its preliminary position, raised on four temporary post, as the
cask seems never to have been used. |
26) Heliopolis, Egypt
- The last standing obelisk at Heliopolis and therefore the oldest
known surviving in Egypt, this stone is twenty metres high and weighs
121 tons. Egyptologists have deduced that it was raised on the jubilee
of pharaoh Sesostris I in 1492 BC. (16) |
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 27 )
The Sarcophagus of Amenemhet III , Egypt.
A quartzite monolith weighing 110 metric
tons, placed in a chamber with an interior length of 7 metres and walls 1
metre thick. (16). The quartzite monolith was lowered onto the sarcophagus
by means of sand-flow, and the chamber was later covered with another two
huge 50-ton limestone vaulting stones.
The sarcophagus was found to be empty
when opened.
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 28)
The Osirion, Abydoss, Egypt. -
(Strabo's well)
Estimates at
around 100 tons each for larger stones. (ref: Wilkipedia)
The Royal graveyard at Abydoss is believed to date back
to pre-dynastic times, and the Osirion, over which the temple of Seti
I
was built, assuredly dates from an early time too. Lockyer calls Abydoss
one of the 'holiest places in Egypt in the very earliest of times' (2).
Abydoss has revealed itself to be one of the most important archaeological
sites in Egypt. It is the site of the pre-dynastic royal graveyard, and of
the Osirion, an enigmatic underground chamber connected to the Nile and
fashioned from enormous blocks. The style of masonry has been compared to
that seen at the Valley temple, Giza.
(More about the Osirion, Abydoss) |
 28) Bajouliere dolmen, Near Samur, France.
The beautifully carved cap-stone on this
dolmen is now broken into four pieces. It is the largest capstone
in France, and in terms of physical size, is most definitely
larger than the Mount Brown capstone (above), although the estimate on
its weight is the same.
This dolmen is one of
the great Loire dolmens, several of which were built with stones
ranging between 50 and 100 tons each.
(More about Bajouliere and the Loire Dolmens) |
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 28 )
The Gollenstein (Goldenstein
and Güldenstein),
Germany.
The Gollenstein of Blieskastel has a height of 7.6m and stands as the
second-largest menhir of Central Europe. The stone originates from Neolithic
time (around 3,000 BC). During the second world war the German army broke
the good old menhir into four pieces so that the French could not use it as
a reference point. After the war, it was repaired and erected again. (15)
It is
estimated to weigh around 100 tons.
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