Cast, Not Carved · source record · paper

The problems of the obelisk revisited: Photogrammetric measurement of the speed of quarrying granite using dolerite pounders

Marčiš, M.; et al. · 2023

AI-verified citationSRC-MARCIS-2023

identifier / locator: Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, S2212054823000292 (Elsevier)
verification note: Located and checked against the geo catalog's characterization by an AI agent (2026-05-02 batch); the '216 cm³/h at 85 hits/min' figure and the authors' against-pounders-alone conclusion were confirmed at that time.
reliability notes: Peer-reviewed journal; the only modern quantitative measurement of dolerite-pounder effectiveness.
Single experimental team; no independent replication yet.

Evidence drawn from this source

Supports· moderateGEO-E001

what the source states: Photogrammetric measurement of experimental granite quarrying with a dolerite pounder recorded a material removal rate of 216 cm³ per hour at 85 strikes per minute; the authors conclude the results speak against dolerite pounders as the sole quarrying method.
what we infer: At face value the rate implies dramatically extended timelines for the Unfinished Obelisk under the orthodox account, or the use of supplemental techniques.
limitations: Single study, single team, single granite and tool configuration.
Skilled ancient crews with maintained tools may outperform the experimental protocol.