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Raising of the Aswan Dam films, 1964
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Raising of the Aswan Dam films
- Dates
- 1964 (inclusive)19641964
- Quantity
-
69 reels (26,585 feet) : silent and sound, black & white and color ; 16mm
3 reels (500 feet) : silent, color ; 35mm
3 audio reels (1800 feet) ; 1/4" - Collection Number
- PH0955
- Summary
- Films of the construction of the Aswan Dam in Egypt
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access to the original films is restricted due to preservation concerns. Arrangements can be made to view the films by contacting the Visual Materials Curator.
- Additional Reference Guides
- Languages
- English
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
The Aswan Dam is an embankment dam built across the Nile at Aswan between 1898 and 1902. Since the 1960s, the name commonly refers to the Aswan High Dam. Construction of the High Dam became a key objective of the Egyptian Government following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, as the ability to control floods, provide water for irrigation, and generate hydroelectricity were seen as pivotal to Egypt's industrialization. The High Dam was constructed between 1960 and 1970, and has had a significant effect on the economy and culture of Egypt. Before the dams were built, the Nile flooded every year during late summer, when water flowed down the valley from its East African drainage basin. These floods brought high water and natural nutrients and minerals that annually enriched the fertile soil along the floodplain and delta; this had made the Nile valley ideal for farming since ancient times. Because floods vary, in high-water years the whole crop might be wiped out, while in low-water years widespread drought and famine occasionally occurred. As Egypt's population grew and conditions changed, both a desire and ability developed to control the floods, and thus both protect and support farmland and the economically important cotton crop. With the reservoir storage provided by the Aswan dams, the floods could be lessened and the water stored for later release.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Raising of the Aswan Dam Films collection contains originals, elements, work prints, sound tracks, and reel-to-reel audio related to the building of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt in 1964. Reels marked M1-M11 have been described as the "original" films by the donor of the collection, though this designation is unverified.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact the Special Collections division of the University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The Raising of the Aswan Dam , 1964Return to Top
The Raising of the Aswan Dam Films collection contains originals, elements, work prints, sound tracks, and reel-to-reel audio related to the building of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt in 1964. Reels marked M1-M11 have been described as the "original" films by the donor of the collection, though this designation is unverified.
Description | Dates |
---|---|
Project Elements
|
1964 |
Film Elements
69 reels (26,585 feet) : silent and sound, black & white and color ;
16mm
3 reels (500 feet) : silent, color ; 35mm
|
1964 |
Audio Elements
3 reels (1800 feet) : 1/4'' audio
|
1964 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Dams--Egypt--Design and construction
Geographical Names
- Aswan Dam (Egypt)
Form or Genre Terms
- Motion pictures
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)