Saving Ancient Egyptian Temples From Aswan Dam’s Rising Waters, from Unfinished Love Story
BruceStrom1
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Jul 11, 2024
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About This Presentation
Why was the United States initially reluctant to assist in rescuing the ancient Egyptian monuments from the rising waters of the Aswan Dam reservoir?
What role did Jackie Kennedy and Richard Goodwin play in rescuing these Egyptian monuments in ancient Nubia, in modern-day Southern Egypt and Sudan?
...
Slide Content
Why was the United States initially reluctant to assist in
rescuing the ancient Egyptian monuments from the rising
waters of the Aswan Dam reservoir?
What role did Jackie Kennedy and Richard Goodwin play in
rescuing these Egyptian monuments in ancient Nubia, in
modern-day Southern Egypt and Sudan?
Why is there an ancient Egyptian Temple housed in a
special wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New
York City?
rescuing the ancient Egyptian monuments from the rising
waters of the Aswan Dam reservoir?
What role did Jackie Kennedy and Richard Goodwin play in
rescuing these Egyptian monuments in ancient Nubia, in
modern-day Southern Egypt and Sudan?
Why is there an ancient Egyptian Temple housed in a
special wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New
York City?
Please, we welcome interesting questions in the
comments. Let us learn and reflect together!
At the end of our talk, we will discuss the sources
used for this video.
Please feel free to follow along in the PowerPoint
script we uploaded to SlideShare, which includes
illustrations. Our sister blog includes footnotes, both
include our Amazon book links.
comments. Let us learn and reflect together!
At the end of our talk, we will discuss the sources
used for this video.
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script we uploaded to SlideShare, which includes
illustrations. Our sister blog includes footnotes, both
include our Amazon book links.
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Unfinished Love Story: Rescuing Ancient Egyptian
Monuments from Rising Waters of Aswan Dam
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Unfinished Love Story: Rescuing Ancient Egyptian
Monuments from Rising Waters of Aswan Dam
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In the thirteenth century BC, Pharaoh Ramses II, who
scholars speculate may have been the pharaoh who
parleyed with Moses in Exodus, built massive monuments
and temples on the banks of the Nile River in Nubia, or
today’s Sudan and Southern Egypt, to impress the locals
with Egyptian power and might. The Great Temple was
dedicated to Ramses II himself, and the Small Temple was
dedicated to his wife Nefatari, and there were numerous
smaller temples.
scholars speculate may have been the pharaoh who
parleyed with Moses in Exodus, built massive monuments
and temples on the banks of the Nile River in Nubia, or
today’s Sudan and Southern Egypt, to impress the locals
with Egyptian power and might. The Great Temple was
dedicated to Ramses II himself, and the Small Temple was
dedicated to his wife Nefatari, and there were numerous
smaller temples.
Over time, Egyptian power waxed and waned, and
the desert sands slowly buried many of these
monuments after they were abandoned. By the time
of the sixth century, the sand buried the massive
statues of the Great Temple up to their knees. They
were nearly completely buried when rediscovered by
the Europeans in the 1800’s. Explorers had to dig
through the deep sand dunes to enter the temple.
the desert sands slowly buried many of these
monuments after they were abandoned. By the time
of the sixth century, the sand buried the massive
statues of the Great Temple up to their knees. They
were nearly completely buried when rediscovered by
the Europeans in the 1800’s. Explorers had to dig
through the deep sand dunes to enter the temple.
David Roberts'
Egypt & Nubia,
1848
Egypt & Nubia,
1848
The Free Officers after the coup, 1953 / Nasser and Eisenhower on sidelines of UN General Assembly, 1960
Free Officers Overthrows Egyptian King
Free Officers Overthrows Egyptian King
What was the history behind the building of the Aswan Dam that
threatened these ancient Egyptian monuments? In the 1952 Egyptian
Revolution, the Egyptian Free Officers Movement, led by Gamal Abdel
Nasser and Mohamed Naguib, overthrew King Farouk in a coup d’etat,
ending the British occupation of Egypt. Under a new constitution of 1956,
Nasser became President of Egypt with near-dictatorial powers.
Nasser, seeking to upgrade the Egyptian military, sought arms from both
Russia and America. Since Israel was a client state of America, she would
only supply arms for defensive purposes. The Egyptian government
thought too many strings were attached to these prospective arms
purchases. Also, Egypt was ideologically closer to Russia, so Nasser
decided to purchase Russian arms instead.
threatened these ancient Egyptian monuments? In the 1952 Egyptian
Revolution, the Egyptian Free Officers Movement, led by Gamal Abdel
Nasser and Mohamed Naguib, overthrew King Farouk in a coup d’etat,
ending the British occupation of Egypt. Under a new constitution of 1956,
Nasser became President of Egypt with near-dictatorial powers.
Nasser, seeking to upgrade the Egyptian military, sought arms from both
Russia and America. Since Israel was a client state of America, she would
only supply arms for defensive purposes. The Egyptian government
thought too many strings were attached to these prospective arms
purchases. Also, Egypt was ideologically closer to Russia, so Nasser
decided to purchase Russian arms instead.
Sulayman Hafez, Mohamed Naguib and Nasser following the ouster of King Farouk, 1952 / Naguib and Nasser, 1954
Gamal Abdel Nasser observing construction of Aswan Dam, 1963 / Nasser and Khrushchev at the Aswan Dam, 1964
Aswan Dam Threatens Egyptian Monuments
Aswan Dam Threatens Egyptian Monuments
The new Egyptian regime also built the Aswan Dam in Southern Egypt, with Russian
assistance, from 1960 to 1970. Historically the annual flooding of the Nile River
enriched the soil of the floodplains and delta of the Nile River, making the Nile
valley ideal for farming. However, low-water years meant drought and starvation,
while high-water years often destroyed the whole crop. The Aswan Dam regulated
the flow of water in the Nile and generated electricity for the growing population of
modern Egypt.
There was an International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia from the
flooding of the Aswan Dam reservoir. This campaign was led by the United Nations
UNESCO (United Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) from 1960 to 1980.
The dam would flood close to three hundred miles south of the dam and would
flood twenty-two critical historical sites.
assistance, from 1960 to 1970. Historically the annual flooding of the Nile River
enriched the soil of the floodplains and delta of the Nile River, making the Nile
valley ideal for farming. However, low-water years meant drought and starvation,
while high-water years often destroyed the whole crop. The Aswan Dam regulated
the flow of water in the Nile and generated electricity for the growing population of
modern Egypt.
There was an International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia from the
flooding of the Aswan Dam reservoir. This campaign was led by the United Nations
UNESCO (United Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) from 1960 to 1980.
The dam would flood close to three hundred miles south of the dam and would
flood twenty-two critical historical sites.
Scale model
showing the
original and
current location
of the temples
with respect to
the water level
at the Nubian
Museum, in
Aswan.
showing the
original and
current location
of the temples
with respect to
the water level
at the Nubian
Museum, in
Aswan.
Goodwin remembers: “From the start, the
entire project was entangled in Cold War
politics. Angered at the Soviet Union’s
participation in the Aswan Dam project,
the Eisenhower administration had
refused to join a UNESCO international
campaign to preserve the colossal temple
complex at Abu Simbel, along with dozens
of smaller temples and statues. Without
American leadership, combined with
private philanthropy, it seemed likely that
these monuments were to be forever lost
beneath the lake” formed by the rising
waters behind the dam.
Statue of Ramses the Great at Abu Simbel is
reassembled in 1967 to save it from flooding
entire project was entangled in Cold War
politics. Angered at the Soviet Union’s
participation in the Aswan Dam project,
the Eisenhower administration had
refused to join a UNESCO international
campaign to preserve the colossal temple
complex at Abu Simbel, along with dozens
of smaller temples and statues. Without
American leadership, combined with
private philanthropy, it seemed likely that
these monuments were to be forever lost
beneath the lake” formed by the rising
waters behind the dam.
Statue of Ramses the Great at Abu Simbel is
reassembled in 1967 to save it from flooding
“In 1962, Jackie Kennedy
sent an urgent memo to”
her husband “the president
laying out the case for saving
Abu Simbel: “It is the major
temple of the Nile in the
thirteenth century BC. It
would be like letting the
Parthenon to be flooded.”
sent an urgent memo to”
her husband “the president
laying out the case for saving
Abu Simbel: “It is the major
temple of the Nile in the
thirteenth century BC. It
would be like letting the
Parthenon to be flooded.”
Kennedy referred this project to his
speechwriter and assistant, Richard
Goodwin, who was also a friend and
confidant of Jackie Kennedy, for prompt
action. The challenge was convincing
Brooklyn congressman John Rooney that
the tens of millions of dollars needed
would be a good expenditure. Kennedy
predicted that he would reason that these
were “rocks in the middle of the Egyptian
desert and there’s not one Egyptian voter
in the entire country.”
Dismantling the Statues at Abu Simbel in
1966 before moving them to higher ground.
speechwriter and assistant, Richard
Goodwin, who was also a friend and
confidant of Jackie Kennedy, for prompt
action. The challenge was convincing
Brooklyn congressman John Rooney that
the tens of millions of dollars needed
would be a good expenditure. Kennedy
predicted that he would reason that these
were “rocks in the middle of the Egyptian
desert and there’s not one Egyptian voter
in the entire country.”
Dismantling the Statues at Abu Simbel in
1966 before moving them to higher ground.
Jackie and Dick persuaded the government to engage
in a quid pro quo swap, where the countries of the
major contributors would be promised statues, vases,
artifacts, and also small temples, based on the size of
their contribution. Dick assembled a presentation
book with photographs of both the endangered
monuments and the temples available for
contributors.
in a quid pro quo swap, where the countries of the
major contributors would be promised statues, vases,
artifacts, and also small temples, based on the size of
their contribution. Dick assembled a presentation
book with photographs of both the endangered
monuments and the temples available for
contributors.
UNESCO Map of Temple of Abu Simbel and other sites rescued from Aswan Dam.
Relocated Great Temple of Ramses II and Small Temple of Nefertari
The pitch Dick planned to
convince the congressmen
to pass the funding was that
“Napoleon only brought an
obelisk back to Paris. We can
bring back an entire temple
to Washington.” Also, Jackie
was busy lobbying wealthy
private philanthropists to
donate money to the
project.
Interior of Temple of Ramses II, Abu Simbel
convince the congressmen
to pass the funding was that
“Napoleon only brought an
obelisk back to Paris. We can
bring back an entire temple
to Washington.” Also, Jackie
was busy lobbying wealthy
private philanthropists to
donate money to the
project.
Interior of Temple of Ramses II, Abu Simbel
“Preserving the temple
complex at Abu Simbel
proved more complicated
and expensive than
originally conceived. The
massive figures and
temples had to be cut into
pieces and reassembled at
a higher elevation. The
process had not yet begun
by the time Kennedy died.
It was left to President
Johnson to secure the
necessary additional funds.”
Temple of Nefertari, Abu Simbel, Egypt, after relocation.
complex at Abu Simbel
proved more complicated
and expensive than
originally conceived. The
massive figures and
temples had to be cut into
pieces and reassembled at
a higher elevation. The
process had not yet begun
by the time Kennedy died.
It was left to President
Johnson to secure the
necessary additional funds.”
Temple of Nefertari, Abu Simbel, Egypt, after relocation.
Temple of Dendur in Metropolitan Museum
Museums in the United States, France, Germany, Spain,
and the Netherlands were gifted minor ancient Egyptian
temples in exchange for their countries’ assistance in
saving these ancient Egyptian monuments. Since the Abu
Simbel Temple was on the banks of the Nile, it is built into
a small pool in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This picture shows me with my then teenage daughter,
Laura, when we explored the museum and temple while
visiting New York City.
and the Netherlands were gifted minor ancient Egyptian
temples in exchange for their countries’ assistance in
saving these ancient Egyptian monuments. Since the Abu
Simbel Temple was on the banks of the Nile, it is built into
a small pool in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This picture shows me with my then teenage daughter,
Laura, when we explored the museum and temple while
visiting New York City.
Goodwin recalls: “Once the money had been
appropriated, Jackie and Dick were able to
select a temple commensurate to the public
and private money they had amassed. They
consulted a group of Egyptologists and
narrowed the choices. In the end, both
wanted the Temple of Dendur, built to honor
the Egyptian goddess Isis by the Roman
governor of Egypt, Augustus Caesar, around
15 BC. With a walkway that led to the banks
of the Nile, this temple seemed perfectly
suited for the banks of the Potomac” along
the cherry blossoms of Washington, DC.
appropriated, Jackie and Dick were able to
select a temple commensurate to the public
and private money they had amassed. They
consulted a group of Egyptologists and
narrowed the choices. In the end, both
wanted the Temple of Dendur, built to honor
the Egyptian goddess Isis by the Roman
governor of Egypt, Augustus Caesar, around
15 BC. With a walkway that led to the banks
of the Nile, this temple seemed perfectly
suited for the banks of the Potomac” along
the cherry blossoms of Washington, DC.
Goodwin continues: “Instead of being
reassembled on the banks of the Potomac
as a memorial tribute to John Kennedy as
Jackie would have preferred, the Temple
was encased in a specially constructed glass
wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in
New York City. In a controlled atmosphere
to prevent erosion, a sandstone pylon
opens onto a small courtyard where, after
unimaginable travels of six thousand miles
and nearly two thousand years, rises the
exquisite Nubian Temple of Dendur.” It cost
nearly ten million dollars to move the
Temple of Dendur to New York City.
reassembled on the banks of the Potomac
as a memorial tribute to John Kennedy as
Jackie would have preferred, the Temple
was encased in a specially constructed glass
wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in
New York City. In a controlled atmosphere
to prevent erosion, a sandstone pylon
opens onto a small courtyard where, after
unimaginable travels of six thousand miles
and nearly two thousand years, rises the
exquisite Nubian Temple of Dendur.” It cost
nearly ten million dollars to move the
Temple of Dendur to New York City.
We have more pictures of the Temple of Dendur
showing its scale. The picture shows that this temple
was submerged for part of the year in Egypt after the
first Aswan Dam was built around 1900. And we have
an Egyptian alligator guarding the temple.
showing its scale. The picture shows that this temple
was submerged for part of the year in Egypt after the
first Aswan Dam was built around 1900. And we have
an Egyptian alligator guarding the temple.
These are other artifacts from the Egyptian section, the
seated statue was in one of the main lobbies of the
Metropolitan Museum. There is a statue of the major
Egyptian bird-god Horus, he was the god of kingship,
healing, protection, the sun, and the sky. The model boat
was likely placed in a royal Egyptian tomb, these figurines
would revive in the afterlife to serve the pharaoh. In
Egyptian mythology, a sphinx usually depicts a pharaoh,
emphasizing his strength and ferocity.
seated statue was in one of the main lobbies of the
Metropolitan Museum. There is a statue of the major
Egyptian bird-god Horus, he was the god of kingship,
healing, protection, the sun, and the sky. The model boat
was likely placed in a royal Egyptian tomb, these figurines
would revive in the afterlife to serve the pharaoh. In
Egyptian mythology, a sphinx usually depicts a pharaoh,
emphasizing his strength and ferocity.
Discussing the Sources
In An Unfinished Love Story, Doris Kearns Goodwin
remembers the role her late husband Richard
Goodwin and Jackie Kennedy played in facilitating
the American efforts to save the ancient Nubian
monuments from the rising waters of the Aswan
Dam reservoir. We discuss this source in greater
depth in our reflections on John Kennedy and
Lyndon Johnson.
remembers the role her late husband Richard
Goodwin and Jackie Kennedy played in facilitating
the American efforts to save the ancient Nubian
monuments from the rising waters of the Aswan
Dam reservoir. We discuss this source in greater
depth in our reflections on John Kennedy and
Lyndon Johnson.
https://youtu.be/krkJki2vQ2o https://youtu.be/MgVEipHdvfM
https://youtu.be/_YvIst9oxXohttps://youtu.be/gOQMH9-v4bE
https://youtu.be/_YvIst9oxXohttps://youtu.be/gOQMH9-v4bE
The Wikipedia article on the International Campaign
to Save the Monuments of Nubia includes links to
the original UNESCO magazine’s articles detailing this
amazing rescue effort, several of the UNESCO photos
were used in this reflection.
to Save the Monuments of Nubia includes links to
the original UNESCO magazine’s articles detailing this
amazing rescue effort, several of the UNESCO photos
were used in this reflection.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Campaign_to_Save_the_Monuments_of_Nubia
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Unfinished Love Story: Rescuing Ancient Egyptian
Monuments from Rising Waters of Aswan Dam
https://amzn.to/3xfxqo3
JFK Memories
LBJ Memories
https://youtu.be/MgVEipHdvfM
https://amzn.to/45Ku9d2
https://youtu.be/FywSKdDmk88
Reflections on Morality, Philosophy, and History:
© Copyright 2024 Become a patron:
https://youtu.be/krkJki2vQ2o
https://www.patreon.com/seekingvirtueandwisdom
https://www.youtube.com/@ReflectionsMPH/?sub_confirmation=1
https://amzn.to/3TJ5WQl
https://amzn.to/3vErJ1M
https://amzn.to/493tfZT
Unfinished Love Story: Rescuing Ancient Egyptian
Monuments from Rising Waters of Aswan Dam
https://amzn.to/3xfxqo3
JFK Memories
LBJ Memories
https://youtu.be/MgVEipHdvfM
https://amzn.to/45Ku9d2
https://youtu.be/FywSKdDmk88
To find the source of any direct
quotes in this blog, please type in
the phrase to the search box in
my blog to see the referenced
footnote.
YouTube Description has links for:
•Script PDF file
•Blog
•Amazon Bookstore
© Copyright 2024
Blog and YouTube Description
include links for Amazon books
and lectures mentioned, please
support our channel with these
affiliate commissions.
Blog:https://wp.me/pachSU-1eP
quotes in this blog, please type in
the phrase to the search box in
my blog to see the referenced
footnote.
YouTube Description has links for:
•Script PDF file
•Blog
•Amazon Bookstore
© Copyright 2024
Blog and YouTube Description
include links for Amazon books
and lectures mentioned, please
support our channel with these
affiliate commissions.
Blog:https://wp.me/pachSU-1eP
https://www.patreon.com/seekingvirtueandwisdom
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