ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a case study of the appropriation of archaeological monuments by colonial powers in order to canonize their world hegemony. It examines the history of appropriating obelisks and the probable rationale for such undertakings in order to develop a historically grounded opinion on how archaeological heritage ought to be managed in a globalized world. The chapter also concerns specifically the removal of Egyptian obelisks to the cities of Europe, commencing with the transport of obelisks by Roman emperors. Successive appropriations of Egyptian obelisks are treated within the context of the historical transformation of imperial power by which obelisks were invested with ideological garbs that ranged from Christianity to Nationalism. However, regardless of this overt manifestation of imperialist ideology, obelisks remained a symbol of cultural hegemony and dominance. Since colonialism in Egypt was viewed as an act of dispossessing the Egyptians of their own independence and sovereignty.
