In 1967, workers carefully reassembled the colossal statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II after it was relocated to save it from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The statue, originally carved in 1264 BCE at the great temple complex of Abu Simbel in southern Egypt, was part of one of the most ambitious preservation projects of the 20th century.

To protect these ancient monuments from being submerged by the rising waters of Lake Nasser, the temples and statues were cut into large blocks, moved to higher ground, and reconstructed with remarkable precision.

This effort not only safeguarded a masterpiece of New Kingdom art and architecture but also preserved a vital piece of Egypt’s cultural heritage for future generations.