Cleopatra’s Needle is an ancient Egyptian obelisk carved during the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Thutmose III (1550 BC – 1295 BC). Etched along its sides 200 years after it was created, are Egyptian hieroglyphs commemorating the military victories of Ramesses II. The ancient obelisk was given to the U.K. in 1819 by Mohammed Ali, the ruler of Egypt and Sudan. But the U.K. government wouldn’t pay for it’s transport, so Cleopatra’s Needle remained in Alexandria until 1877.
The needle was one of a pair. The twin was gifted to New York City in 1877 by the Egyptian Khedive to America and now sits in Central Park. There was a total of 3 obelisks, the third is in Paris.
While transporting Cleopatra’s Needle to London in 1877, a major storm thwarted the mission. The weight and shape vexed the voyage from the beginning, making the transfer particularly difficult in fine weather. During a raging gale, Cleopatra’s Needle became lost at sea. Announcements of the missing ancient treasure made news around the world. Spanish trawlers spotted the monolith bobbing in the Bay of Biscay and were able to direct it toward the Glasgow steamer Fitzmaurice who’s captain rescued the treasure and safely finished the transfer to London.
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These three ancient obelisks were toppled in the 12th century BC where they remained buried in the sand, protected, until discovered in 18AD at which time they were sent to Alexandria.
There is believed to be a strong connection between the Knights Templar and ancient Egyptian artifacts. The lost “Treasure of the Templars” was featured in the 2004 blockbuster National Treasure starring Nicholas Cage. The fact that these three ancient Egyptian obelisks are currently displayed in the three cities with the strongest ties to Freemasons and secret societies is worth noting.
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