I think part of the appeal of an obelisk is that it is hard to keep the stone together during the raising. Erecting an obelisk in ancient times was a bit of a

I think part of the appeal of an obelisk is that it is hard to keep the stone together during the raising. Erecting an obelisk in ancient times was a bit of a hassle where one may be being erected would be considered a great act or at least the act of a person able to waste resources. A modern feat would be like the arch in Saint Louis where you use concrete and steel in a way that isn't perfect for them(some tension).