The Abu Simbel Temples
Rediscovered by J. L. Burkhardt in 1813

To say that the Abu Simbel Temples were "discovered" by a man named J. L. Burkhardt in 1813 is similar to saying America was "discovered" by Columbus in 1492. Better to say that these men simply brought their "discoveries" to the attention of the Europeans.

Nonetheless, as the story goes, Burkhardt was about to leave Egypt when he happened upon an astounding sight, the ancient facade of two temples. Upon closer inspection, he found that one was dedicated to Ramesses II, and the other to his wife, Nefertari.

Of course, being such major finds, these temples quickly became a major drawing card for Victorians visiting Egypt. It made no difference that the viewing required an arduous trip up the Nile, nor that at times the temples were deeply covered in sand.

As a demonstration of how important they are to Egypt, the two temples were carefully disassembled, moved and meticulously rebuilt when it became likely that the construction of the High Dam threatened to submerge them beneath Lake Nasser.

The Egyptian government secured the support of UNESCO and launched a worldwide appeal, culminating in the start of the major reconstruction project in 1964.

During the salvage operation, which continued until 1968, the two temples were dismantled and raised over 60 meters up the sandstone cliff where they had been built more than 3,000 years before. There they were reassembled, in the exact same relationship to each other and the sun, and covered with an artificial mountain.

The effect is quite amazing, making a visit well worth one's time. Antiquity experts have now filled most of the joins in the stone, but inside the temples it is still possible to see where the blocks were cut. One may also go inside the man-made dome where an exhibition of photographs showing the different stages of the massive removal project can be inspected.

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