Re-erecting the AXUM Oblelix

Preparations to Re-Install Returned Axum Obelisk Complete: Unesco

The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)
February 16, 2006
Posted to the web February 17, 2006
Yonas Abiye Addis Ababa

Engineering design works for the re-installation of the 1,700-year old stone obelisk looted by Italy nearly 70 years ago has been completed in spite of the problems encountered in operational processes, UNESCO disclosed in a press conference on Tuesday. "There were several challenges. The logistics for the resolution was extremely difficult during the operation, but using archeological technique, we are preparing the environmental impact assessment and we have completed the engineering preparation for the obelisk." Mr.Bandaren, UNESCO Director for Cultural Heritage sites told the press conference. UNESCO, along with Ethiopian and Italian authorities is currently completing the administrative, legal and technical preparation to start the operation in March or April of this year, the Director added. Professor Giorgio Croci, an Italian engineer who is Director of Studio Croci& Association also said that due to the complex and unprecedented nature of the operation which aimed at reinstalling the obelisk composed of three parts was difficult. "Re-installing the obelisk composed of three parts namely, Sella1, stella2 and stella3, the preparation of foundation to support the obelisk and the provisional scaffolding, the construction of an embankment to slide the parts of the obelisk before lifting them in to position was really difficult," he said. According to Croci the construction of a steal tower, 33m high and weighing 150 tons, was underway with "zero risk procedure." He said, "The main principle of guiding this operation is to minimize risks at all levels. The project has included a careful assessment of the environment impacts using high tech methods to investigate the underground archeological structures and first class engineering solution for the re-installation of the 150 tons obelisk. In order to prevent any possible damage to steal 3, a provisional stabilization structure will be installed before the reinstallation of stela2." Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rafael De Lutio, noted during the occasion that his government gave UNESCO the responsibility to complete the administrative, legal and technical preparations to start the operation of the obelisk which, he said, helped improve not only Italy's bilateral relations with Ethiopia but also with Africa and the world. "The reinstallation of the obelisk on its historical site helps not only the relation between Ethiopia and Italy but also with Africa and the world at large," said the Ambassador. The obelisk broken in to three pieces for the transportation process was returned back to Ethiopia in April 2005 after years of negotiation by the Ethiopian and Italian governments. The Ambassador also underscored that his government was committed to cooperate with UNESCO and Ethiopia on tourism and cultural sectors. "We shall work in cooperation with UNESCO and the Ethiopian government to upgrade the capacity of tourist attraction for Axum. Mr.Awad Elhassan, Director and Representative of UNESCO Cluster Office in Ethiopia said on his part that the Obelisk, registered as one of UNESCO's world heritage sites, would attract many tourists to Ethiopia and would play a great role in the economic sector of the country. The Axum obelisk is 24 meter high, 160 tons and about 1,700 years old. The constriction of the foundation and the embankment was due to be completed before the end of the Ethiopian rainy season. The reinstallation of Stella 2 would start as soon as the rainy season is over. Assuming that all logistical and technical requirements were promptly met, the entire operation would be finalized towards the end of 2006, according to UNESCO official present at the press briefing.

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