The antiquities of Nubia became submerged in the Nile three times before the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the first time when the Aswan reservoir was built in 1902, the second time in 1912, and the third in 1932. It became clear that the southern part of the valley would be permanently under water after the building of the High Dam in Aswan in 1956.

UNESCO carried out a rescue operation in which more than forty countries participated, either with financial assistance or practical participation. UNESCO's appeal was issued on 8 March 1960, and the efforts of the international campaign to save the Nubian antiquities continued for almost twenty years. Over time, its objectives were achieved, and about twenty-two monuments were removed and taken to new sites.