We traveled by bus to the region of Nubia in the very south of Egypt.  The Nubian people are an indigenous group of African descent. They have long maintained a language and culture distinct from those of their Arab neighbors.  The construction of the Aswan High and Low Dams led to flooding. As a result, thousands of Nubian people were displaced. Monuments, including Abu Simbul, were also affected.

The massive temples of Abu Simbel were moved to their present location in an epic feat of modern engineering. The construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1960 created Lake Nasser. It flooded their original site.  This extraordinary operation took years to complete. An international team of engineers and archaeologists from 45 countries made tremendous efforts to achieve it.  The temple is now backed by an artificial mountain that resembles the original setting.

We explored two temples constructed by Pharaoh Ramses II, Egypt’s longest-ruling king. They were built as a tribute to the deities and his favorite wife, Nefertari.  Originally carved into a mountainside, the temples feature richly detailed stone monuments….including four 65-foot tall statues that flank the entrance to the Great Temple. 

Unlike other Egyptian temples, which typically feature a linear structure, Abu Simbul’s design includes myriad side chambers.  The interior is packed with bas-reliefs depicting battle scenes, pillars, and monuments to the gods.