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Lever an Obelisk 
The obelisk can be raised three feet using only two stone weights and five stone supports. The first step is to move the fulcrum to the point that gives the optimum mechanical advantage: a ratio of 3:1. Next, two weights equaling 500 pounds have to be placed on the left side of the lever. Support blocks then need to be placed under the obelisk and the fulcrum. This process is repeated until the obelisk is raised three feet. How Big Were They? | Cutting Granite with Sand | NOVA Raises an Obelisk Lever an Obelisk | Explore Ancient Egypt | Mysteries of the Nile | Resources | Transcript Medieval Siege | Pharaoh's Obelisk | Easter Island | Roman Bath | China Bridge | Site Map Editor's Picks | Previous Sites | Join Us/E-mail | TV/Web Schedule About NOVA | Teachers | Site Map | Shop | Jobs | Search | To print PBS Online | NOVA Online | WGBH © | Updated November 2000 |