List of largest monoliths in the world
The following tables list the largest monolith in the world according to their weight (in tonnes). A monolith in the purpose of this list is a man-made from the mother rock dissolved stone, consisting of a single piece.
The use of monumental stones, there is a real technical challenge in the transport from the quarry and the establishment of destination; this suggests a subdivision into four categories, namely those monoliths that
- Were left lying unfinished in the quarry.
- Were moved to their final destination on land and water if necessary.
- Were transported to their destination in the vertical height ( architraves, etc.).
- Were hoisted at their destination in an upright position ( columns, etc.).
The latter two operations require the use of cranes, the BC are detectable in Greco-Roman cultural area since the end of the 6th century.
Caveat: The weights are based on weighing practically nowhere, but estimates of the volume and the density of the stone ( weight = volume x density). The determination of precise dimensions is complicated frequently by the fact that the monoliths are now broken, be in the installed state, or - such as colossal statues - have no easily calculable geometric shape. To determine the type of rock usually no rock samples are taken, but default values applied ( eg 2.75 t / m³ for marble). This leads to a large scatter in weight indicated in the literature, so that the figures is limited resilient and better should be construed as an indicator for the order to be more accurate value.
Monoliths in the quarry
This list shows monoliths that have remained in the quarry and were most often not completely separated on its underside from the parent rock.
Transported monoliths
This list gives a monolith that may have been transported over land and water.
Crane Moving monoliths
This list gives a monolith that may have been promoted well to water and taken to their destination with cranes in their final position over the country and.
Erect monoliths
Monoliths, which are known or suspected, that they were drawn by cranes in an upright position.
Emporgehievte monoliths
Monoliths, which are known or suspected that they were free hoisted into the air by crane from the ground.