Nubia `64

Saving the Temples of Ancient Egypt

The ancient Egyptians built colossal temples and shrines along the banks of the River Nile. 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 these monuments 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, 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.

© 1998-2008 The Roland Collection & Pira Intl.