Publications
Geotechnical aspects of the salvage of the Egyptian monuments
Severe structural damage to Nubian monuments, including the Temples of Abu Simbel, Kalabsha, Philae, and Hibis, necessitated large-scale salvage operations due to soil movements triggered by environmental changes. The study highlights that these transfer projects—drowning temples under the Aswan High Dam reservoir—represented significant civil engineering challenges, with Philae and Hibis temples being particularly critical cases. Geotechnical assessments revealed cracks and dislocations caused by subsurface instability, underscoring the need for precision in relocation efforts to preserve cultural heritage.
Going Global
The obfuscation of white supremacy is deeply embedded in the technopolitical foundations of the UNESCO World Heritage List, which was enabled by the mass displacement of Nubians in Upper Egypt during the 1960s and 1970s. The dismantling and transport of Abu Simbel and Philae temples, led by American and European engineers, largely disregarded displaced residents but laid the groundwork for the World Heritage List. Institutional efforts in the 1980s aimed to address the overrepresentation of European sites by increasing recognition of 20th-century sites, particularly in the Global South. This study reveals how DOCOMOMO, a European-based modernist-preservation advocacy organization, contributed to the institutionalization of narrative strategies that facilitated the inclusion of white cities on the World Heritage List. The collaboration with DOCOMOMO established the conditions for adding such cities, extending institutional transformations from the 1980s into the 1990s and 2000s.
Virtuelle 3D Rekonstruktion : Der Tempel Amenophis‘ III. als Teil der sakralen Landschaft Nubiens
A virtual 3D reconstruction of the lost Temple of Amenhotep III, part of Nubia's sacred landscape, reveals its significance within the ritual geography of Lower Nubia and restores its geometry digitally. The temple, built in the 14th century BCE along the Nile's banks near modern-day Aswan, was submerged during the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s. This interdisciplinary project, led by Prof. Dr. Martina Ullmann, combines expertise from Egyptology, conservation, imaging techniques, and monument sciences to analyze, document, and conserve seven large-scale wall paintings from its sanctuary while reconstructing its original form. The study also highlights the broader impact of the UNESCO-led Nubian Campaign, which saved numerous temples, including Abu Simbel, and led to the adoption of the Venice Charter (1964) and the founding of ICOMOS in 1965.
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