Gamal Abdel Nasser Biography and Timeline — Page 6

Request for UNESCO Assistance

Egypt requests international assistance to protect Nubian monuments threatened by the reservoir.

Role range: 1956-1970

Egyptian Monument Rescue Request

Egypt requested international assistance through UNESCO to protect monuments and archaeological sites threatened by the planned reservoir.

Nubian Heritage Rescue Assistance Requested

Egypt asked UNESCO for international help protecting monuments threatened by water impoundment associated with the High Dam.

Construction Launch Ceremony

Nasser marks the start of construction by initiating blasting at the project site.

Role range: 1956-1970

Start of Aswan High Dam Construction

Nasser inaugurates major construction work on the Aswan High Dam.

Role range: 1956-1970

High Dam Groundbreaking Ceremony Held

Nasser inaugurated construction of the High Dam with a ceremonial blast at the project site.

Nubian Resettlement Planning

Nasser's government plans relocation of communities threatened by the future reservoir.

Role range: 1956-1970

Nubian Collection Rescue Background

The international Nubian salvage campaign began after Egypt sought assistance to protect monuments and artefacts threatened by the Aswan High Dam reservoir.

Debod Temple Dismantling

Egyptian antiquities specialists dismantled the Temple of Debod as part of early efforts to safeguard monuments from inundation.

Taffa Temple Relocation

Egyptian antiquities officials transferred the Temple of Taffa during the opening phase of the Nubian salvage campaign.

Qertassi Kiosk Transfer

The Kiosk of Qertassi was dismantled and moved by the Egyptian Antiquities Service before rising waters could damage the monument.

Temple of Debod Removed

Egyptian antiquities specialists dismantled the Temple of Debod to rescue it from inundation.

Socialist Nationalizations

Issues decrees nationalizing banks, insurance companies and major industrial enterprises.

Role range: 1956-1970

Syrian Secession

Continues using the United Arab Republic name after Syria withdraws from the union.

Role range: 1956-1970

First-Stage Construction Progress

Nasser reviews excavation, diversion channels and foundation works during the first construction stage.

Role range: 1956-1970

Kalabsha Temple Relocation Starts

West German assistance supported the dismantling and transfer of the Temple of Kalabsha to a new location protected from the future lake.

Kalabsha Temple Salvage Advances

International teams started dismantling and transporting the Temple of Kalabsha to a safer location.

National Charter

Secures approval of a National Charter defining Arab socialist policy.

Role range: 1956-1970

Nubian Community Relocation

The government accelerates construction of replacement settlements for Egyptian Nubian communities.

Role range: 1956-1970

Archaeological Finds Museum Rationale

Excavations associated with the Nubian rescue effort recovered material that later helped underpin the need for a museum dedicated to the region's history.

Beit El Wali Temple Transfer

The Temple of Beit el Wali was dismantled and moved to higher ground as part of the multinational Nubian rescue works.

Wadi Es Sebua Temple Transfer

Rescue teams dismantled and relocated the Temple of Wadi es Sebua to preserve it from waters associated with the Aswan Dam.

Pennut Tomb Relocation

The Tomb of Pennut from Aniba was moved as part of the wider operation to save archaeological remains endangered by the reservoir.

Dendur Temple Salvage

Egyptian antiquities teams supervised the dismantling and transfer of the Temple of Dendur during the Nubian salvage programme.

Dakka Temple Salvage

The Temple of Dakka underwent dismantling and relocation to prevent submergence, with the work overseen by Egyptian antiquities authorities.

Maharraqa Temple Dismantling

The Temple of Maharraqa was taken apart and transferred from its threatened position in Nubia as part of the international rescue effort.

Temple of Dendur Salvage Undertaken

Egyptian antiquities authorities coordinated work to protect the Temple of Dendur from flooding.

Monument Salvage Cooperation

Nasser's government cooperates with international teams relocating temples from the reservoir zone.

Role range: 1956-1970

Abu Simbel Cutting Method Selected

The Egyptian government chose to save the Abu Simbel temples by cutting them into blocks and transferring them to a higher site.

Aksha Temple Remains Saved

Archaeological specialists salvaged the remains of the Aksha temple with financial assistance from France and prepared them for reconstruction in Khartoum.

Buhen Temples Rescue

Rescue operations transferred temple remains from Buhen to Khartoum with support from the United Kingdom and the United States.

Semna East Temple Rescue

The remains of the Semna East temple were saved and transferred to Khartoum with financial support from the Netherlands.

Semna West Temple Rescue

The Semna West temple remains were relocated to Khartoum with financial help from Belgium as part of the Sudanese Nubian campaign.

Abu Simbel Relocation Method Selected

The Egyptian government adopted a scheme to cut and reassemble the Abu Simbel temples above the future water level.

Provisional Constitution

Promulgates a provisional constitution maintaining the official United Arab Republic name.

Role range: 1956-1970

Diversion of the Nile

Nasser attends the closure of the river channel and beginning of reservoir storage.

Role range: 1956-1970

Recognition of High Dam Workforce

Nasser praises Egyptian and Soviet workers after the Nile diversion milestone.

Role range: 1956-1970

Main Nile Channel Closed

The river was diverted as engineering works reached a major milestone in construction of the High Dam.

Nubian Heritage Documentation Expands

Archaeological recording and recovery during the rescue campaign preserved information about settlements and monuments later interpreted through the Aswan museum.

Abu Simbel Relocation Work Begins

Engineers and conservators began the complex operation of cutting the great rock temples at Abu Simbel into transportable sections.