The work and the technique: The Salvage of the Temples of Abu Simbel, Egypt

In 1963, works were awarded to an international consortium of companies of which Impregilo then merged into the Group now Webuild.
 
During the first phase (1964-1965), the temples were protected from the rising waters of the Nile. A cofferdam was built, which measured 370 m in length and 25 metres in height. The external temple walls were covered by a jet of fine sand, while the internal roofing was reinforced with steel scaffolding.  

During the second phase (1965-1966), a hill behind the temples was built for dismantling purposes. Thanks to the experience of marble cutters from Carrara, the temples were cut and divided into blocks. Curved steel bars with a 25/35 mm diameter were applied to the blocks to lift and move them safely. Works began from the internal roofing, then the façade was removed, after freeing it from the sand protection. 
The blocks were carefully catalogued and moved in an open depot area that measured 44,000 square metres.

During the last phase (1966-1968), the blocks were moved within the new side so that they could be reassembled. Every surface was joined to the other surfaces with special resins, also checking that they were perfectly positioned and completing the operations with manual works.

Two reinforced concrete domes were built to support the artificial hill on which the temples rest. Works were completed with the construction of a surrounding environment that exactly reproduces the original one.