Abu Simbel Temple

Abu Simbel is an archaeological complex consisting of two rock-cut temples located in the Nubia region of Upper Egypt, within the boundaries of Aswan Governorate. The temples were carved into the mountain during the reign of Ramses II of the 19th Dynasty. The complex comprises the Great Temple, dedicated to Ra-Horakhty, Amun, Ptah and the deified Ramses II, and the Small Temple, dedicated to Hathor and Ramses II’s chief wife Nefertari. Its current location is on the western shore of Lake Nasser, approximately 230 km southwest of Aswan. In 1968, the complex was relocated to a higher site to prevent it from being submerged by the reservoir waters of the dam.

Abu Simbel Temple (Flickr)

Foundation and Dating

Construction of the complex began around 1264 BCE and continued for approximately 20 years, concluding around 1244 BCE. During this period, Egypt controlled the Nubian region. Ramses II commissioned these temples both for religious purposes and to symbolize Egyptian dominance over Nubia.

Complex Composition

• Great Temple: The façade features four colossal seated statues of Ramses II. Above the entrance, a niche contains a depiction of Re-Horakhty, a form of the sun god. The temple faces east.
• Small Temple: Dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari. The façade features six colossal figures: four of Ramses II and two of Nefertari, each approximately 10 meters in height.

Great Temple

The Great Temple is renowned for its four colossal seated statues of Ramses II at the entrance. Each of the four statues on the façade stands approximately 20–21 meters tall; the head and torso of the leftmost statue likely collapsed during antiquity due to an earthquake. The interior iconography includes reliefs depicting the Battle of Kadesh.

Sunlight Phenomenon

The temple’s axis is aligned so that sunlight penetrates to the innermost sanctuary twice a year, on 22 February and 22 October. Observations conducted in 1966 after relocation confirmed that the statues of Amun, Ra-Horakhty and Ramses II were illuminated, while the statue of Ptah remained in shadow.

The Biannual Sunlight Phenomenon in the Temple (Anadolu Agency)

Small Temple

The Small Temple is located approximately 100 meters northeast of the Great Temple. It is dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Nefertari, wife of Ramses II. The façade features six colossal statues, each about 10 meters high: four representing Ramses II and two representing Nefertari. This arrangement is one of the rare examples in Egyptian art where a queen’s statues are depicted at the same scale as those of the pharaoh.

Documentation in the 19th Century

Over time, the temples became buried under sand. The Great Temple was rediscovered by European travelers in the early 19th century. In 1813, Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt identified the structure, and in 1817, Giovanni Battista Belzoni succeeded in clearing the temple’s entrance.

Relocation and Conservation Efforts

Aswan High Dam and the Threat

The construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1959 created Lake Nasser, threatening to submerge the temples. This prompted an international campaign to preserve the Nubian monuments. It was determined that prolonged exposure to water would compromise the structural integrity of the sandstone constructions.

Relocation

Under UNESCO coordination, the Abu Simbel temples were cut into blocks between 1964 and 1968 and moved to a higher location. Their official reopening at the new site took place on 22 September 1968. According to UNESCO, the temples were relocated 64 meters higher and 180 meters inland. These efforts ensured their preservation in the new location.

Technical Details of the Relocation

• Segmentation and Lifting: Dismantling began in November 1963 using wire saws; the temples were divided into 1,036 blocks. The smallest block weighed approximately 7 tons. The final block was removed on 16 April 1966.
• New Location and Elevation: In early 1966, new foundations were constructed. The Great Temple was reassembled 65 meters higher and 208 meters inland; the Small Temple was placed 67 meters higher and at the same horizontal distance. The axial alignment was maintained within a tolerance of ±5 mm to preserve the biannual sunlight phenomenon.
• Structural Covering: After the interiors were reconstructed and joints filled, reinforced concrete protective domes were erected behind each temple. The dome over the Great Temple had a span of 55 meters and a height of 19 meters. Over these domes, 300,000 tons of material were placed to recreate an artificial hill resembling the original topography.
• Sunlight Verification: On 22 February 1966, observations confirmed that the three sacred statues were illuminated by sunlight while Ptah remained in shadow. A second verification was conducted on 22 October.
• Opening and Funding: The project was completed in early summer 1968 and formally opened on 22 September 1968. The total cost amounted to 41.7 million US dollars, half funded by Egypt and half by international contributions; 48 countries supported the financing.

Various alternative solutions were considered prior to relocation: leaving the temples in place within a protective pool filled with transparent water; lifting the entire mass using hydraulic jacks; or constructing a curved thin concrete dam for protection. Ultimately, the method of cutting into blocks and reassembling was adopted.

Abu Simbel Temple (Anadolu Agency)

UNESCO World Heritage Status

The serial property titled “Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae,” which includes Abu Simbel and Philae, consists of ten components and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. The property represents architectural and cultural heritage spanning from the New Kingdom to the Roman period; some of the monuments were relocated between 1960 and 1980 as part of the UNESCO campaign.

Integrity, Authenticity and Management

According to UNESCO assessments, the physical texture and visual integrity of the relocated monuments have been preserved; their authenticity in form and design remains intact. The site is exposed to environmental factors such as wind, temperature fluctuations, precipitation, humidity, bird droppings, dust and tourism. Conservation is carried out under the framework of the Antiquities Law and related environmental and urban planning regulations; management plans are being progressively finalized.

Current Status

Today, the Abu Simbel Temples are among Egypt’s most visited archaeological sites and continue to hold significant cultural and touristic value. The area is protected under the supervision of UNESCO and the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.