Trasloco Faraonico di ABU SIMBEL: Salvataggio & Trasferimento del tempio di Abu Simbel

Recent questions

• What is the Aswan Dam project?

  The Aswan Dam project, initiated in the 1960s, was a significant engineering endeavor in Egypt that led to the creation of Lake Nasser, a vast reservoir stretching 500 kilometers in length and varying between 10 to 30 kilometers in width. This project was crucial for regulating the flow of water from the Blue and White Nile, managing an impressive 100 billion cubic meters of water annually. The dam not only aimed to control flooding and provide irrigation for agriculture but also played a vital role in generating hydroelectric power, thus contributing to Egypt's economic development and energy needs.

• Why was UNESCO involved in the 1960s?

  UNESCO became involved in the 1960s due to the impending threat to several ancient temples in Egypt, particularly as a result of the Aswan Dam project. On March 8, 1960, UNESCO launched a global appeal to raise funds for the relocation of 14 significant temples, including the renowned Abu Simbel. The construction of the dam and the subsequent creation of Lake Nasser posed a risk of submerging these historical sites, prompting UNESCO to take action to preserve the cultural heritage of Egypt. This initiative highlighted the importance of international cooperation in safeguarding world heritage sites from modern development projects.

• How were the temples relocated?

  The relocation of the temples, particularly those threatened by the rising waters of Lake Nasser, was a complex and meticulously planned operation that took place over several years. The project, completed on September 22, 1968, involved around 3,000 workers and was executed in six distinct phases. The process included the dismantling of the temples into 136 large blocks, each weighing approximately 20 tons, which were then carefully transported to a new site. To ensure the temples retained their original appearance, engineers constructed artificial hills and a protective dam, allowing the temples to be reassembled in a manner that preserved their historical and architectural integrity.

• What is Lake Nasser?

  Lake Nasser is a massive artificial lake created by the construction of the Aswan Dam in Egypt during the 1960s. Spanning approximately 500 kilometers in length and varying in width from 10 to 30 kilometers, it serves as a crucial reservoir for regulating the flow of water from the Blue and White Nile rivers. With a capacity to hold around 100 billion cubic meters of water annually, Lake Nasser plays a vital role in Egypt's water management system, providing irrigation for agriculture, supporting hydroelectric power generation, and helping to mitigate the impacts of seasonal flooding. Its creation has had significant implications for the region's economy and ecology.

• What challenges did the relocation project face?

  The relocation project of the temples, necessitated by the construction of the Aswan Dam and the subsequent rise of Lake Nasser, faced numerous challenges that required careful planning and execution. One of the primary difficulties was the sheer scale of the operation, which involved dismantling large and heavy stone blocks, each weighing around 20 tons, and transporting them to a new location. Additionally, the project had to ensure that the temples were reconstructed in a way that preserved their historical and architectural significance, which involved building artificial hills and a protective dam to replicate the original setting. Coordinating the efforts of approximately 3,000 workers across six phases added to the complexity, making the successful completion of the project a remarkable achievement in engineering and cultural preservation.