Cleopatra's Needle?

Here's a thing - Cleopatra's Needle dates from 1000 years before this Egyptian Queen graced the earth. This gorgeous monument has a twin in New York, they date back to 1450 years BC in Heliopolis (modern Cairo). Over 1,000 years later they were moved to Alexandria, by Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt. They stood in Alexandria for almost two millennia. and one was presented to the UK in 1819 by the ruler of Egypt and Sudan in commemoration of the naval victories of Lord Nelson (Battle of the Nile) and Sir Ralph Abercromby ( Battle of Alexandria). Several decades later, Sir William Wilson sponsored the move to London where the needle was almost lost in a severe storm in the Bay of Biscay. In 1878 a time capsule was placed in the pedestal including: a shilling razor, a complete set of contemporary British coins, a Bradshaw Railway Guide, copies of 10 daily newspapers and a box of cigars! Note the damage done to the base of one of the bronze Sphinxes "guarding" the needle during WWI and the accompanying Egyptian-themed camel and sphinx benches that still adorn the Embankment, some 150 years after they were cast. History everywhere you look!