"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."
Confucius (ancient philosopher)
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Egypt, 1956. It’s well after dark, but on the banks of the Nile river thousands of laborers are working feverishly. They’re preparing the way for the Aswan High Dam, a monumental construction that promises to bring a more reliable electricity supply (and numerous other benefits!) to the area.
But at a serious price…
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Photograph of the facade of the Abu Simbel temple complex. 2004. © Dennis Jarvis.
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Nearby villages will be flooded to make way for the dam. Thousands of people will have to leave their homes—or live underwater!
The oldest affected resident? The Abu Simbel temple complex created by pharaoh Ramesses II. It’s over 3000 years old and sitting right in the flood zone. Carved deep into the cliffside, and standing almost 100 feet tall, it’s a treasured (and massive) example of ancient architecture.
Will the Egyptians let this monument drown?
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Photograph of one of the statues of Ramesses II and the accompanying smaller figures at his feet.
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No way! Collaborating with UNESCO, an arm of United Nations that protects cultural heritage sites, an enormous multinational team sets out to save Abu Simbel.
First, they build an artificial plateau above the temples’ original location. Then, with great care, they cut the temples into individual segments, each weighing between three and 20 tons. Block by block, they reassemble the ancient structure, fitting together pieces like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
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Photograph of pieces of the temple being moved. 1967.
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With daytime temperatures sometimes soaring above 120°, work often takes place after the sun has gone down. Though it takes years, the temple complex is eventually relocated.
Today, Abu Simbel’s four statues of Ramesses II, the small figures of his wives and children, and all the other original elements are comfortable in their new home (safely above the waterline).
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Photograph of the facade of the Abu Simbel temple complex. Taken in 2010. © Matthias Kabel.
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 The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
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Confucius (ancient philosopher) 
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Photograph of Ramesses II relief in the Temple of Derr. 2008.
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Who does this figure represent?
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Contact Co-Founders Coline and Jean at hello@artips.co.
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