Nubia `64

Saving the Temples of Ancient Egypt

The ancient Egyptians built colossal temples and shrines along the banks of the River Nile, because they knew that from its yearly flooding came the whole prosperity of their land. But when the modern rulers of Egypt decided to dam the Nile in Nubia, to ensure regular irrigation along 600 miles of its course, they knew that the river's level was bound to rise and rise until some of the monuments on the former banks were completely submerged. Only a huge exercise in conservation, in which the experts of many nations had to co-operate, could save these priceless treasures from death by water. What had taken hundreds of years and thousands of slaves to build had to be moved and reassembled in months on the new banks of the Nile. Presented as a human document rather than as art history, dramatically and powerfully directed, this film will fascinate old and young viewers alike. Locations featured include the Aswan Dam, the Tomb of Pennenout, the Temple of Deer, the Shrine of Gaarf Hussein, the Temple of Dakka, the Temple of Ramses, the Temple of Philae, the Temple of Abu Simbel, the Temple of Amada and the Temple of Kalaboha.

© 1998-2001 The Roland Collection & Pira Intl.