There are 2 basic types of rock carving tools: percussion and lapidary. In the case of Aswan granite copper percussion tools will not work (neither will iron as pointed out by Stocks (1999) ). Stone percussion tools are quite capable of working granite into the forms the ancient Egyptians carved using them. Copper can be used in lapping, in fact it's ideal for that purpose. Copper is still used today as a lapping medium... it the abrasive that actually cuts the rock not the lapping medium. The copper just carries the abrasive during the cutting process and is meant to wear away.

The combination of these 2 basic methods along with material specific methods like gouging is what allows the ancient Egyptians to carve all the objects that we see today in stone.

Stocks, D.A. (1999) Stone sarcophagus manufacture in ancient Egypt. Antiquity, 73, 918-22.

Archae Solenhofen (solenhofen@hotmail.com)