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Cleopatra’s Needles: The Lost Obelisks of Egypt

In the 19th century three massive obelisks left Egypt bound for Paris, London, and New York. The engineers entrusted with transporting “Cleopatra’s Needles” had to invent new methods to transport these granite monoliths, and it was far from certain that they would succeed.

It took the French four years to lower, transport, and erect their obelisk. The London obelisk was lost at sea and six brave men gave their lives attempting to transport it to England. When Lt. Commander Henry Gorringe brought New York its obelisk, he was forced to sail in an unflagged ship that, while at sea, could have been seized by any nation.

In this lecture, Bob Brier tells how obelisks were quarried and raised in ancient Egypt and then recounts the remarkable adventures involved in bringing the three obelisks across oceans to their new homes.

The lecture will be followed by a signing of his new book, Cleopatra’s Needles: The Lost Obelisks of Egypt.

Dr. Bob Brier is Senior Research Fellow at Long Island University. He is recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on mummies and was the first person in 2,000 years to mummify a human cadaver using the exact techniques of the ancient Egyptians. In 2010 National Geographic TV presented his documentary called “Secret of the Great Pyramid” discussing a new theory of how the great Pyramid was built. Dr. Brier’s research has been featured in such media as CNN, 60 Minutes, and The New York Times.











When: Mon., Mar. 13, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Where: The Explorers Club
46 E. 70th St.
212-628-8383
Price: $25
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In the 19th century three massive obelisks left Egypt bound for Paris, London, and New York. The engineers entrusted with transporting “Cleopatra’s Needles” had to invent new methods to transport these granite monoliths, and it was far from certain that they would succeed.

It took the French four years to lower, transport, and erect their obelisk. The London obelisk was lost at sea and six brave men gave their lives attempting to transport it to England. When Lt. Commander Henry Gorringe brought New York its obelisk, he was forced to sail in an unflagged ship that, while at sea, could have been seized by any nation.

In this lecture, Bob Brier tells how obelisks were quarried and raised in ancient Egypt and then recounts the remarkable adventures involved in bringing the three obelisks across oceans to their new homes.

The lecture will be followed by a signing of his new book, Cleopatra’s Needles: The Lost Obelisks of Egypt.

Dr. Bob Brier is Senior Research Fellow at Long Island University. He is recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on mummies and was the first person in 2,000 years to mummify a human cadaver using the exact techniques of the ancient Egyptians. In 2010 National Geographic TV presented his documentary called “Secret of the Great Pyramid” discussing a new theory of how the great Pyramid was built. Dr. Brier’s research has been featured in such media as CNN, 60 Minutes, and The New York Times.

Buy tickets/get more info now