South Korean heritage technology applied to Ramesseum restoration

South Korean cultural heritage preservation technologies are being applied to the restoration of the Ramesseum temple in Luxor, Egypt. The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage have completed the construction of a large-scale temporary protective structure, or “shelter,” to facilitate the restoration of the temple's pylon.

The shelter, measuring 42m by 26m with a height of 21m, is the first of its kind used for such a purpose in Egypt. It is designed to protect the ancient site from environmental factors like wind, temperature fluctuations, and seismic risks while allowing for the safe use of cranes during the dismantling and restoration of stone structures.

This project is part of a five-year Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiative running from 2023 to 2027. In collaboration with Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), the program aims to undertake stone preservation, documentation, and the training of local experts. Recent archaeological findings during the project include the identification of new inscriptions and the cartouche of Pharaoh Ramesses II.