Abu Simbel Ancient Egyptian village on the w bank of the River Nile, near the border with Sudan. It is the location of two rock-cut sandstone temples built by Ramses II (c.1292–1225 bc). In a huge operation (1963–66), the temples and statuary were moved further inland. This was to prevent their disappearance under the waters of Lake Nasser, created by the construction of the new High Dam at Aswan.

Abu Simbel the site of two huge rock-cut temples in southern Egypt, built during the reign of Ramses II in the 13th century bc and commemorating him and his first wife Nefertari. Following the building of the High Dam at Aswan, the monument was rebuilt higher up the hillside.