Hidden Message Discovered On 3,300-Year-Old Egyptian Obelisk In Paris

iflscience.com ^ | April 25, 2025 | Dr. Russell Moul

[ransomnote]

SNIP

To understand the text, we need to know a little about the obelisk’s history. Before it was gifted to Paris, the monument used to be one of two that stood outside the Luxor Temple in Upper Egypt. Both pillars were built around the 13th century BCE, at the time of Ramses II’s reign. But at this time, the obelisk that is now in Paris would have had a face that could be seen by passengers traveling along the Nile River, and it is from this angle (around 45°) that the secret message is visible.

“When I calculated where to stand at the time to be able to admire this part of the obelisk, I ended up right in the middle of the Nile,” Olette-Pelletier added.

“And then I understood: it was only intended to be seen by the nobles arriving by boat at the temple of Luxor during the annual Opet festival, celebrating the return of the life forces of the god Amun.”

The message itself exalted Ramses II and his divine power, while another encouraged viewers to make offerings to appease the wrath of the gods. So, it was essentially propaganda helping to legitimize the pharaoh’s claim to power and his divinity.

Olette-Pelletier now intends to publish his findings in the journal ENiM.  

SNIP

To understand the text, we need to know a little about the obelisk’s history. Before it was gifted to Paris, the monument used to be one of two that stood outside the Luxor Temple in Upper Egypt. Both pillars were built around the 13th century BCE, at the time of Ramses II’s reign. But at this time, the obelisk that is now in Paris would have had a face that could be seen by passengers traveling along the Nile River, and it is from this angle (around 45°) that the secret message is visible.

“When I calculated where to stand at the time to be able to admire this part of the obelisk, I ended up right in the middle of the Nile,” Olette-Pelletier added.

“And then I understood: it was only intended to be seen by the nobles arriving by boat at the temple of Luxor during the annual Opet festival, celebrating the return of the life forces of the god Amun.”

The message itself exalted Ramses II and his divine power, while another encouraged viewers to make offerings to appease the wrath of the gods. So, it was essentially propaganda helping to legitimize the pharaoh’s claim to power and his divinity.

Olette-Pelletier now intends to publish his findings in the journal ENiM.  

[Kartographer]

Don’t forget to drink your Ovaltine

[Robwin]

Kilroy was here.

[ransomnote]

I wondered where my mother got that phrase!

[Az Joe]

Who is John Galt?

[Telepathic Intruder]

Darth Vader is Luke’s father.

[FlingWingFlyer]

GMTA. My first thought also.

[tumblindice]

Ramses Is A Fartknocker

[Songcraft]

Moses was here.

[mass55th]

On the other side of the obelisk it said:

Her Chariot
Raced 80 Per
They Hauled Away
What Had
Ben Hur

Burma Shave

[Ancesthntr]

Epstein didn’t kill himself.

[Bikkuri]

[No name given]

E.T phone home.

[SaxxonWoods]

Eat at Joe’s

[Songcraft]

Walk Like an Egyptian

(It was a musical obelisk.)

[NoLibZone]

Pythagoras Is a hack.

[nuke_road_warrior]

Well done, Beat me to it.

[The Great RJ]

Joey Biden was here.

[monkeyshine]

If you lived here you’d be home by now

[Trump_Triumphant]

Aren’t you glad you use Dial?
Don’t you wish everybody did?