Used in everything from the great pyramids of Giza's ancient stone sarcophagus to a modern home's countertops, granite is one of the most nearly indestructible stones used in artistic and architectural applications. In fact, it plays a prominent role in the architectural history of nearly every great city in the Western world. Due to its beauty and durability, the stone has been a highly prized building material for centuries. An Ancient Egyptian Obelisk A great granite Obelisk once stood proudly in Egypt in the center of Alexandria, which, at the time, was one of the world's great cities. The obelisk was quarried in Egypt during the 13th century BC. On the orders of the Roman Emperor Caligula, it was moved by barge across the Mediterranean to Rome in the first century. Rocky Rome In one of the great engineering feats of the ancient world, the same obelisk was placed in the Circus Maximus in Rome. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the great copper ball resting atop the obelisk contained the remains of Julius Caesar. Long before the modern ages of marble skyscrapers and granite countertops, the long stone monument remained in position at the center of the Circus Maximus until 1586 when Pope Sixtus V, as part of his designs to continue the construction of St. Peter's Cathedral and make it one of the world's truly spectacular buildings, recommended moving the obelisk 275 yards from its original Roman site to the featured location in front of the Vatican. In Classical Rome and Around the World The Ancient Romans revered granite as one of the world's most beautiful and durable materials. Over the following hundreds of years, the Romans relocated numerous Egyptian obelisks to sites across the city. Today, there are more of these obelisks in Rome than in any other city. Think of any of the great cities of the world, including London, New York, Paris, and Rome: a great granite obelisk stands within all of their borders. Building Across the Centuries -- Pyramids to Locomotives The ancient Egyptians truly understood the value and strength of granite. They used it to build incredible and enduring structures such as the sarcophagus of the pharaoh in the Great Pyramid of Giza, a structure meant to house a new God King for all eternity. In more modern times, granite has been valued as a stone that stands undamaged by environmental forces or time. That is why it is known as the material of choice for monuments and memorials alike. So valuable is this stone that America's first railway was constructed with the sole intent to transport the treasured stone in and around Boston. Modern Homes Today, we most often come into daily contact with this highly prized stone in the form of very popular granite countertops. The same reasons that the Egyptians and Romans valued the architectural material - its durability, beauty, and flexibility - give many families cause to bring the stone into their homes. When seeking to include this beautiful and historic stone in granite countertops, Medford, OR residents can learn more about their options by visiting http://elemaroregon.com/inventory.html.
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