It is sometimes claimed that the Thunder Stone is the "largest stone ever moved by man." This stone was not ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ tremendously large, but was also effectively moved 6 km (4 miles) overland to the Gulf ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ Finland by manpower alone; no animals or machines were used. It was then transported by boat up the Neva, and subsequently to its current site. Due to the large size ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ the rock, the easiest way to measure its mass is to calculate it. Its dimensions before being cut, according to the fall 1882 edition ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ La Nature were 7 x 14 x 9 m. Based on the density ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ granite, its mass was determined to be around 1500 tonnes.[7] Falconet had some ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ this cut away to change the rock to its current wave-like shape, leaving the finished, stylized pedestal weighing slightly less. This still leaves it the largest when compared to other large, sculpted stones:
The unfinished obelisk in Aswan is estimated at 1200 tonnes. It was not, however, ever moved, and was never even detached from the rock from which it was supposed to be carved. 1200 tonnes is still smaller than the initial mass ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ the Thunder Stone.
The Stone ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ the Pregnant Woman (Hadjar el Gouble) in Baalbek is measured at 21.5 m x 4.8 x 4.2 m, putting its mass somewhere between 900 and 1100 tonnes. Unlike the unfinished obelisk, it was taken out ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ its quarry, but still sits on an angle not far from the site ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ its extraction. Once again, this is smaller than the initial mass ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ the Thunder Stone.
The Western Stone is estimated at 517 tonnes and was moved as a single piece and was used as a foundation stone in the northern corner ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ the Western Wall in Jerusalem. This was an impressive feat given that the wall was constructed around 20 BC.
The Great Broken Menhir ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ Locmariaquer, now in five pieces, was 20 m tall and likely weighed over 300 tonnes.
The obelisk at the Basilica ************SPAM/BANNEAR************ St John Lateran was broken into three pieces, then erected at its present site in Rome by Pope Sixtus V. At 32 m tall, it probably weighs over 350 tonnes.
The Great Stele at Axum is estimated to have weighed over 500 tonnes; it was moved from its quarry, but is believed to have broken on erection.
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