Obelisk gets the chop

2003-10-10 11:00

Rome - Workers in Rome are busy dividing up an ancient granite obelisk on Friday ahead of its return to its place of origin in Ethiopia.

The Axum Obelisk, originally a tomb monument, was looted by Benito Mussolini's troops in 1937, during the Fascist occupation. Ethiopians consider it a revered symbol of a glorious past empire and had been demanding its return ever since.

The obelisk has been standing for decades in front of the main entrance to the headquarters of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in central Rome. In May 2001, it was struck by lighting which partly damaged its tip.

The 24m tall, 150-ton stele is currently wrapped up in scaffolding. Workers are to divide it up in six sections using computer-guided jacks. The obelisk was cut up in various sections by Fascist troops when they transported it to Rome by sea.

But some experts fear dividing it up again may cause it to crumble. The operation is highly complex and is expected to last several weeks.

Officials have said it should arrive in Ethiopia around the end of October.

Sapa-dpa

- SAPA