Protecting the Pyramids In 1960 Egypt began building the Aswan High Dam across the Nile River to provide water and electricity. To fill the reservoir they had to flood the Nile Valley where there are many ancient pyramids and temples. Egypt asked UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) to help save the monuments. Several UN member countries answered UNESCO’s call. They donated money and the monuments were saved — by being taken apart piece by piece and put together again in a different place. The project was so successful that UNESCO took on other projects — such as saving Venice the Italian city that floats on water and ancient ruins in Pakistan. These projects made UNESCO realize there was a need for an international commitment to protect important sites so in 1972 the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage was born. There are 195 member countries of UNESCO — that includes almost all of the UN nations as well as various countries who are “associate members.” The only UN nation that isn’t also a member of UNESCO is Lichtenstein.

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