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The Nubia Museum harbors the history of the
"Land of Gold" as the word Nubia in the Hieroglyphic, language
of ancient Egypt in which pictorial symbols are used to
represent meaning and sounds, means the "Land of Gold"...Hence,
this land, over times, was abounding in monumental treasures.
The Nubia Museum, in Aswan, as a matter of fact, is deemed to be
one of the most important Egyptian museums. A number of factors
have combined together, yielding the magnificence of such
museum, as it is the only unique open museum of its kind.
Preparing this museum lasted for ten years, all dedicated for
hard work to come up with such lovely museum. Let alone, it
stands as a wonderful model of international cultural
cooperation representing in United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO).
In April 6 th, 1959, the Egyptian government appealed to the
United Nations Educational, Cultural, and Scientific
Organization (UNESCO), seeking help to salvage the monumental
sites in Nubia, hence, the area between Aswan and the Sudan was
inundated by the Nile
waters especially after completing the Aswan Dam.
The response of the (UNESCO), in fact, came fast, as it called
upon the international community to contribute to this project.
Since then, (UNESCO) has been a key player in the archaeological
field in Egypt.
In no time, the executive committee, comprising representative
of 15 member states, was set up, and was commissioned with
studying technical, monumental and financial reports with the
aim of providing the (UNESCO) with basic information required to
effectively implement the project.
The (UNESCO), obviously, has contributed much to nudging the
entire world to pay more attention to saving such invaluable
monuments. By the end of 1975, and as a result of this
relentless support on the part of the (UNESCO), the donations
influx - contributed by 24
countries - amounted to $ 123304.
Unsurprisingly then that the operation of saving the Nubian
monuments was described as the greatest in the history of saving
monuments.
The operation, as known, included dismantling Abu Simbel Temple,
inter alia, moving it to another area to be reassembled once
again. Abu Simbel Temple was completely dismantled to 1036
pieces, each with average of 7 to 30 tons, as they were rebuilt
on the top of the mountain overlooking the genuine spots, drawn
by the ancient Egyptians 3000 years ago.
The world outcry, however, was translated into many concrete
actions; donations to salvage the deteriorated-condition
monuments, a number of excavation missions - which pursued their
tasks in such hard conditions in areas extend 500 kilometres
along the Nile banks.
A number of 40 missions have taken part in this great but
difficult job, unearthing several priceless treasures dating
back to pre-history times; Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Islamic and
Coptic.
Fossils, which were discovered during excavations, undoubtedly
provided full knowledge about Nubian life and its development
along ages.
In January, 1975, the General Egyptian Authority for Antiquities
submitted a request to the (UNESCO) seeking the organisation's
assistance to preserve the ancient Egyptian monuments, through
establishing a city for museums harbouring a cluster of open
museums
with a view to displaying rare and wonderful monuments of
various ages.
Being the main supporter to save the Nubian monuments, the
(UNESCO) approved this request, and entrusted the executive
committee, responsible for salvaging operations, with assuming
the tasks of this new project. This committee was named the "The
Executive
Committee for the International Campaign for Establishing the
International Museum of the Monuments of Nubia in Aswan, and the
National Museum for Ancient Egyptian Museum in Cairo".
Since February, 1981, a number of symposiums and seminars was
held for contribution to this great project. It was the first
time in the history of the (USECO) to decide launching an
international campaign to establish local museum. This, however,
could be ascribed to the
magnificent monumental treasures Egypt has.
On February 4 th, 1986, the foundation stone of the museum of
Nubia was laid down, playing new effective role that was derived
from the spring of culture and civilization at both home and
international levels.
To the Egyptians, the museum is to display life over centuries.
As for foreign visitors, the museum will show the history of
such unique area, as a source of knowledge for researchers from
around the globe.
The International Museum of Nubia is located in Aswan on an area
of 50,000 square meters, 7000 of which are excluded to building,
while the rest designed to be the yard of the museum.
The building has three floors for displaying and housing, in
addition to a library and information center. The largest part
of the museum is occupied by the monumental pieces, reflecting
phases of the development of the Nubian culture and
civilization.
Three thousands pieces of antiq., representing various ages;
Geological, Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic, were
registered. The open-door exhibition includes 90 rare monumental
pieces, while the internal halls contain 50 invaluable pieces
dating back to the pre-history
times, 503 pieces belong to Pharaonic time, 52 of Coptic era,
103 of Islamic age, 140 of Nubian time, in addition to 360
pieces having the tang of Aswan.
The work in this unique edifice lasted for 11 years straight,
and cost LE 60 million.
The museum of Nubia gained this unique position simply because
it harbors unique monuments not in any elsewhere.
It houses the statute of Ramsis II, which was laid at the very
forefront of the Museum, statute of Amenras the spiritual wife
of Amen, she is of Nubian origin. It, also, has the head of the
Shpatka, of the Nubian origin, made of rosy granite, head of
black granite of Tahraqa, the Nubian King, whose reign during
the 7th century BC was said to be full of prosperity. There is a
temple of his name with gold-plated pillars.
There are, also, four mummies for nobles, which were found in
Kashmatkh town in Nubia.
The museum, as well, houses several models and styles of the
Nubian heritage, the panorama of the Nile, depicting live image
of the River Nile streaming through its banks.
There is also a model for the Nubian-style house, typically
copied to mirror the nature of life in Nubia.
All pieces exhibited in the museum reflect the character of the
Nubia over history and display how it merged with the Islamic
civilization on one hand and the mother civilization of Egypt on
the other. |
