- Key People:
- Giovanni Battista Belzoni
- Johann Ludwig Burckhardt
- Related Topics:
- ancient Egyptian religion
- archaeology
- temple
- Related Places:
- Egypt
- ancient Egypt
- Nubian Valley
Abu Simbel
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What is Abu Simbel?
Abu Simbel is an archaeological site in southern Egypt that features two temples built by King Ramses II, who reigned from 1279–13 BCE. The four colossal statues of Ramses II at the main temple's entrance exemplify ancient Egyptian art.
Carved from a sandstone cliff on the Nile's west bank, the temples remained unknown until 1813 when Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered them. In the 1960s, a complex engineering project was undertaken to save the temples from the rising waters of the Nile, caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The temples were dismantled and reconstructed on higher ground. In 1979, Abu Simbel, Philae, and other nearby monuments became a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Where is Abu Simbel located?
Abu Simbel, now in Aswān muḥāfaẓah (governorate), southern Egypt, was in ancient times the southern frontier of pharaonic Egypt, facing Nubia. The two temples at Abu Simbel were built by the Egyptian king Ramses II (reigned 1279–13 BCE). They were carved out of a sandstone cliff on the west bank of the Nile, south of Korosko.
In the mid-20th century, the temples were threatened by the reservoir created by the construction of the nearby Aswan High Dam. Between 1963 and 1968, both temples were completely disassembled and reconstructed on higher ground.
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Who built the temples at Abu Simbel and why?
King Ramses II (reigned 1279–13 BCE) constructed the two temples at Abu Simbel. The main temple, fronted by four colossal statues of Ramses, honors the sun gods Amon-Re and Re-Horakhte. The smaller temple was dedicated to Ramses’ queen, Nefertari, for the worship of the goddess Hathor.
Carved out of a sandstone cliff on the Nile's west bank, the temples served as a southern frontier for pharaonic Egypt, facing Nubia. In the 1960s, the temples were moved to higher ground to save them from the rising waters caused by the Aswan High Dam.
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What are the main features of the Abu Simbel temples?
The Abu Simbel temples, constructed by Ramses II (reigned 1279–13 BCE), were carved from a sandstone cliff on the Nile's west bank. The main temple features four 66-foot seated statues of Ramses II.
Inside, the temple consists of three halls extending 185 feet into the cliff, adorned with Osiride statues and scenes from the Battle of Kadesh. The smaller temple north of the main one is dedicated to Nefertari and the goddess Hathor, with 35-foot statues of the king and queen. In the 1960s, the temples were moved to higher ground to save them from the rising waters of the Nile.
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How were the Abu Simbel temples moved to save them from flooding?
Threatened by the rising waters of the Nile River due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the Abu Simbel temples were saved through an extraordinary engineering project in the 1960s.
Supported by UNESCO and funded by over 50 countries, a team of engineers and scientists disassembled the temples into approximately 16,000 blocks. The blocks were then moved to higher ground, over 200 feet (60 meters) above their original location, and reassembled. Concrete domes were constructed over the temples and buried under artificial hills to recreate the original landscape. This complex salvage operation, completed by late 1967, ensured the preservation of the temples.
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Why is Abu Simbel considered an important archaeological and historical site today?
Abu Simbel is an important archaeological site because it houses two temples built by King Ramses II. The four colossal statues of Ramses in front of the main temple are spectacular examples of ancient Egyptian art. The temples are carved out of a sandstone cliff on the west bank of the Nile. The main temple is dedicated to the sun gods Amon-Re and Re-Horakhte and is decorated with Osiride statues of the king and painted scenes of his victory at the Battle of Kadesh. In the 1960s, the temples were salvaged from the rising waters of the Nile River caused by the erection of the Aswan High Dam. In 1979, Abu Simbel was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Abu Simbel, site of two temples built by the Egyptian king Ramses II (reigned 1279–13 bce), now located in Aswān muḥāfaẓah (governorate), southern Egypt. In ancient times the area was at the southern frontier of pharaonic Egypt, facing Nubia. The four colossal statues of Ramses in front of the main temple are spectacular examples of ancient Egyptian art. By means of a complex engineering feat in the 1960s, the temples were salvaged from the rising waters of the Nile River caused by erection of the Aswan High Dam.
Carved out of a sandstone cliff on the west bank of the Nile, south of Korosko (modern Kuruskū), the temples were unknown to the outside world until their rediscovery in 1813 by the Swiss researcher Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. They were first explored in 1817 by the early Egyptologist Giovanni Battista Belzoni.
The 66-foot (20-metre) seated figures of Ramses are set against the recessed face of the cliff, two on either side of the entrance to the main temple. Carved around their feet are small figures representing Ramses’ children, his queen, Nefertari, and his mother, Muttuy (Mut-tuy, or Queen Ti). Graffiti inscribed on the southern pair by Greek mercenaries serving Egypt in the 6th century bce have provided important evidence of the early history of the Greek alphabet. The temple itself, dedicated to the sun gods Amon-Re and Re-Horakhte, consists of three consecutive halls extending 185 feet (56 metres) into the cliff, decorated with more Osiride statues of the king and with painted scenes of his purported victory at the Battle of Kadesh. On two days of the year (about February 22 and October 22), the first rays of the morning sun penetrate the whole length of the temple and illuminate the shrine in its innermost sanctuary.
Just to the north of the main temple is a smaller one, dedicated to Nefertari for the worship of the goddess Hathor and adorned with 35-foot (10.5-metre) statues of the king and queen.
In the mid-20th century, when the reservoir that was created by the construction of the nearby Aswan High Dam threatened to submerge Abu Simbel, UNESCO and the Egyptian government sponsored a project to save the site. An informational and fund-raising campaign was initiated by UNESCO in 1959. Between 1963 and 1968 a workforce and an international team of engineers and scientists, supported by funds from more than 50 countries, dug away the top of the cliff and completely disassembled both temples, reconstructing them on high ground more than 200 feet (60 metres) above their previous site. In all, some 16,000 blocks were moved. In 1979 Abu Simbel, Philae, and other nearby monuments were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.