While the new dam was being built, the valley was scoured by teams of archaeologists from different international missions in a race against the clock. Dismantling the temples and taking them to a safe location was the most urgent task, since the whole area was going to be submerged under the water in only 5 years.

In the summer of 1960, the Debod Temple became the first one to be rescued. Previously it had been exhaustively described, including copies of the inscriptions and photographs of the complex. The temple was dismantled by a team from the Egyptian Antiquities Service with help from a Polish group. Finally, two excavation campaigns were carried out in the summers of 1960 and 1961.

Desmontaje Templo de Debod
Removing Debod Temple


Not all the architectonic elements could be recovered. The lowest blocks of the temple foundations were left in place, together with the remains of the pier and the access road.
The ashlar blocks were stored at Elephantine Island near Aswan, where they remained together with those from Dendur until their final destination was decided some 10 years later.

Sillares en espera de ser trasladados
Ashlar waiting to be transferred