Philae - Jewel of the Nile

When the first dam at Assuan was constructed in 1898 -- 1902, it meant a serious threat to Philae. The temples and their painted reliefs had withstood almost two thousand years of visitors, of wars and of different attacks, but modern civilization would soon prove disastrous.

When in 1907-12 and 1929-34 the dam was heightened it caused the small island to be flooded all year around except during the summer months, form July to October.

....and after...

Already at that time there was talk about relocating the temples to Bigeh or even Elephantine, but instead an operation of strengthening the foundations and consolidating the superstructures was carried out. Thanks to this, the buildings endured another 70 years, but the colors of the reliefs was washed away and palm trees and other greenery disappeared.

....threatened to be destroyed by the inundation, which in ancient times symbolised life and basis for civilization....