THE ABU SIMBEL TEMPLES COMPLEX RELOCATION AS AN EXAMPLE OF AGRESSIVE METHOD USED IN THE PROCESS OF PRESERVATION MONUMENTS

Abstract

The field of preservation monuments represents various different methods, all dependent on the type of monuments to be preserved and the scope of work. One of the most aggressive methods, used to protect the monuments against flooding (especially during construction of large water dams), is the relocation method. The relocation of The Abu Simbel Temples complex was used during the construction of The New Aswan Dam. In this case, it was a much more complex and complicated project. To insert the relocated Temples into their new location, the architects were forced to create an artificial landscape. The object, an artificial mount was created at the same time as the Temples complex was relocated. Both the construction of the artificial mount and the relocation of the Temples complex were done simultaneously and with great precision. The new Aswan Dam project demanded interdisciplinary solutions to met the goals of saving the Temples complex. The team of international experts was found solution for the following issues: in construction of water dams, preservation monuments and the creation of landscape.