RACE TO SAVE ABU SIMBEL TEMPLE

this is low Thomas and we are on our way up the Nile for 3,200 years the Nile has blown past the temple of Adam symbol carved into sands don't lift by order of the Pharaoh Ramses the second one of the superb art treasures of our civilization but soon this majestic sight would be completely flooded because the Nile is being forced upward by a new dam and as the water rises a desperate effort is being made to rescue Abu Simbel [Music] I [Music] the scene of this struggle against time remote Nubia near the border between Egypt and the Sudan years since 1,200 years before the birth of Christ colossal Abu Simbel has stood dedicated by the payroll to himself and his queen the imposing structure 130 feet across 100 feet high the four huge seated figures all likenesses of Ramses himself [Music] while the outside of the temple is truly overwhelming and even more miraculous accomplishments can be seen inside tunneled over 200 feet into the rock our chambers containing handsome statuary and carve painting [Music] it is this ancient jewel they broke all over the world are trying to preserve an appeal for funds was made in 1960 by UNESCO the response from nations on every continent provided money for preliminary work the question how could such an enormous job be tackled one plan called for raising the entire temple by working hundreds of hydraulic jacks in unison [Music] that scheme abandoned in favor of sawing out huge box listing them 200 feet at the top of the crib and redirecting Abu Simbel there this seemed logical in theory but could it be completed before the flood waters rushed in the new location was chosen because it would be above the level at which the Nile was expected to crest feverish activity began immediately in a joint effort engineers from six companies representing five countries gathered to plan the intricate details of the ticklish moving job every bit of stone was meticulously measured [Music] the new interior became a forest of statutes braced in all directions plastic cushioning at the ends of the steel beams to protect the valuable decorated walls but it soon became apparent that progress was too slow every day the River rose dressing inundation emergency action was taken the cofferdam would be rushed up to keep the Nile away for the two years that were needed to complete the rescue as explained in an article in the January Reader's Digest building the stopgap wall was a near heroic achievement sand a constant enemy finding its way into the machinery temperatures up to 125 degrees supplies and men had to be brought in by riverboat from 175 miles downstream because no Road or railroad existed Taurus can come here by river steamer but temporary housing for laborers had to be erected every moment count the deadline had to be met and it was by August of 1964 the first part of the big race was over and barely won the cupboard and a quarter of a mile long and 450 feet high it was ready [Music] next the facade was covered with sand to protect it while sawing took place by hand as delicately as possible a master charts called for the cutting of 350 blocks weighing from 5 to 30 tons each they aim to slice where the least violence will be done to the ornate carvings every block that was cut free was numbered to aid in the later reassembly some could be lifted by hand for bigger one holes were bored and steel rods in circles these were used as lifting happens thus they could be hoisted by giant cranes without ropes or cables that might bite into the car of services and Martha badan trucks operating on roads go for the purpose hold each slab to the high plateau things were really humming fighter any 1965 but the schedule was tightened east so round-the-clock operations began working in relays for 24 hours a day the man found a night shift quite pleasant the brutal daylight heat was absent huge generators laborious be dragged here provided electricity for illumination sand will spread the top of the cliff making a soft temporary resting place for the block that is where we stand today the temple in pieces awaiting its rebirth it is out of danger but three and a half million dollars must be raised to rebuild it without these funds the temple buffs may lie in the desert indefinitely if you would like to aid the restoration of glorious Abu Simbel to its former grand jury sends your texts deductible contribution to me Lowell Thomas care of the Reader's Digest Pleasantville New York you will receive a prompt acknowledgment of cultural legacy for the future asks for your help today you I