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20 June, 2007
Addis Ababa, June 19, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - The UNESCO World Heritage Center on Tuesday signed a contract with Lattanzi SRL Construction Company to begin the re-erection of the Aksum obelisk.
The Aksum oblisk, also known as Stela 2, is the second largest stela on the Aksum World Heritage site in Ethiopia.
The significance of its return after 68 years, and the technical feat of transporting the obelisk and re-erecting it on site are on a par with other historic UNESCO projects, UNESCO’s press release issued on Tuesday said.
The total budget for the project, 2,833,985 USD, is funded by the Italian Government that also financed the transportation of the obelisk and the related studies undertaken by UNESCO.
Lattanzi has begun mobilizing its staff and equipment, and shall start the works as of mid July.
According to the release, the works will take place in two segments throughout a period of 18 months. During the first segment, a foundation for the obelisk will be built as well as a temporary steel tower for lifting the separate parts of the obelisk.
In the second phase, the steel structure will be put in place and the obelisk lifted and placed in position. Finally, the surface of the obelisk will be cleaned and restored, and the steel support structure dismantled and removed.
By September 12, the Ethiopian new year, the obelisk will be standing, but its surfaces yet to be restored, it said.
The Ethiopian News Agency