Nearly two centuries ago, a remarkable 3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk found its place in the heart of Paris at Place de la Concorde. This impressive structure, known as the Concord or Luxor Obelisk, was a gift from the viceroy of Egypt to France. Over the years, it has captivated both residents and visitors, drawing crowds and igniting curiosity. Yet, despite its fame, this ancient monument seems to hold secrets that have been waiting to be revealed.
A recent renovation project has led to an exciting revelation, thanks to Egyptologist Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier from the Catholic University of Paris. While examining the obelisk, he discovered an undocumented inscription tucked away at its pinnacle, which had escaped notice for centuries. By analyzing the hieroglyphs located at the top of this grand structure, Olette-Pelletier unveiled previously hidden messages, ingeniously crafted in a form of hieroglyphic cryptography.
The newly revealed inscriptions provide valuable insights into the obelisk’s origins, indicating that it once stood among a pair outside the Luxor Temple in Upper Egypt during the reign of Ramses II. These messages extol Ramses II’s divine might and encourage onlookers to offer tributes to the gods, effectively serving as propaganda to bolster the pharaoh’s image and assert his divine rule.
The findings from Olette-Pelletier, which are set to be published in the journal ENiM, offer an intriguing look into the past of this iconic obelisk and the sophisticated methods employed to convey meanings in ancient Egyptian culture. This discovery not only enriches the narrative surrounding the obelisk but also underscores the critical need for continued research and preservation of historical treasures for future generations to discover and appreciate.
