International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia

The International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia was initiated by UNESCO to address the imminent threat posed to ancient monuments by the construction of the Aswan Dam. The dam's creation resulted in the flooding of the Nile Valley, which endangered numerous historical sites, including the Great Temple of Abu Simbel. This campaign was significant in its scale and ambition, as it involved the relocation of 22 monuments and architectural complexes over a span of two decades. The effort not only preserved these invaluable cultural heritage sites but also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in heritage conservation. The relocation of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel, one of the most iconic structures, was particularly notable as it involved cutting the temple into large blocks and moving them to a higher location, ensuring their protection from rising waters. This operation was a remarkable engineering feat and set a precedent for future preservation efforts worldwide.