An Exquisite Toy: The Temple of Dendur, a Gift for New York

Macaulay, Elizabeth R.

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-51391-6_5

Elizabeth R. Macaulay²

53 Accesses

Abstract

The Roman-era Egyptian Temple of Dendur was the last archaeological gift that New York City received. The Egyptian government gave the temple to the United States in thanks for the United States’ economic support of the UNESCO campaign to save the monuments of Nubia that would be submerged by the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s. This chapter first examines the economic and political wrangling required to move the threatened temples, colossal statues, and tombs, as well as the motives of President Kennedy, the US government, and American academics in advocating for US participation in the UNESCO project. The US government selected the Metropolitan Museum of Art rather than the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, as the temple’s new home. The display context of the temple—in a new wing in one of the most famous museums in the world—positively impacted its legacy, introducing Egyptian art and architecture to subsequent generations and promoting tourism in Egypt. The gift of the temple is also placed in the larger context of the use of exhibitions, such as the 1961 Tutankhamun Treasures and the wildly popular and successful Treasures of Tutankhamun exhibition in the late 1970s, to foster cultural understanding and better relations between Egypt and the United States. The Temple of Dendur was an effective diplomatic gift, the new star piece in the Met’s outstanding collection, and an antiquity that affirmed that New York City was still a great metropolis despite the financial, social, and political problems facing the city in the 1970s. Today, the Temple of Dendur is a popular setting for movies, parties, and even protests.

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Notes

1.
Edwards (1888): 339.
2.
For a discussion of re-created ancient houses at the 1889 Paris Exposition as toys, see Hales (2017): 92–125, esp. 118–21.
3.
Allais (2012): 194 n. 25. A monumental gateway was given to West Germany.
4.
On late Roman temples, see Arnold (1999); Minas-Nerpel (2012): 362–81. On the Temple of Dendur only, see Aldred (1978). On the campaign to save Nubia, see Säve-Söderbergh (1987); Meskell (2018): 28–58; Luke (2019): 113–41; Riggs (2022): 140–78; Carruthers (2022).
5.
Iğsız (2021): 193–208.
6.
Aldred (1978): 10; Reynolds (2012).
7.
Aldred (1978): 10; Säve-Söderbergh (1987): 46.
8.
For a basic introduction to Nubia, see Török (2012): 749–62; Shaw and Nicholson (2008): 227–29; and Kamrin and Oppenheim (2017). On the relationship between ancient Egypt and Nubia, see Smith (2003).
9.
Burstein (2021): 697–711.
10.
Kamrin and Oppenheim (2017).
11.
On Roman-era temples in Egypt, see Arnold (1999): 225–76.
12.
Arnold (1999): 235–37.
13.
For example, see Verner (2013).
14.
Arnold (1999): 237–40.
15.
See Arnold (1999): 240–48.
16.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d., MMA 68.154.
17.
Aldred (1978): 59, figs. 40–43.
18.
On early representations of the temple, see Roehrig (2017).
19.
Norden (1755).
20.
Gau (1822): plate 23–5. Another early French publication that mentions Dendur is Rifaud (1830): 27–8.
21.
Roberts (1846–49): plate 20.
22.
Peters (2018): 9–24.
23.
The Met holds a copy of his Dandoûr, Nubie (1851, MMA 2013.431).
24.
G. Pearson created a wood engraving called Temple of Dendoor, after an original drawing by Edwards (1888): 548.
25.
Carruthers (2022): 36–38.
26.
Blackman (1911); Zaki (2018).
27.
Carruthers (2022): 42–53; Zaki (2018): 6–9.
28.
Carruthers (2022): 49.
29.
Zaki (2018): 11–15.
30.
Smith (2003).
31.
Janmyr (2017): 718 n. 3 and 729. Earlier ethnographic studies include Fahim (1973) and Fahim (1983), as well as Fernea, Fernea, and Rouchdy (1991) and their earlier scholarship. More recent work on Nubian identity, the Nubian displacement, and diaspora includes Hopkins and Mehanna (2010); Hughes (2011); Abbas (2014); Agha (2016); Agha (2019); Janmyr (2016); Janmyr (2017); Janmyr (2018); Madbouly (2021); Riggs (2022): 151–154; Carruthers (2022): 42–53. On decolonizing anthropological and archaeological research in Nubia, see Narrating Nubia, n.d.
32.
Hopkins and Mehanna (2010); Hughes (2011); Abbas (2014); Agha (2016); Janmyr (2017): 718–19; Janmyr (2018); Riggs (2022): 151–54; Carruthers (2022): 42–53.
33.
Aldred (1978): 15.
34.
Aldred (1978): 15.
35.
Riggs (2022): 73–74.
36.
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2021).
37.
Riggs (2022): 153.
38.
Tignor (2002): 271.
39.
On the marginalization of Nubians in Egypt and Sudan, see Fahim (1973); Fahim (1983); Fernea, Fernea, and Rouchdy (1991); Agha (2016); Agha (2019); Janmyr (2016); Janmyr (2017); Janmyr (2018); Riggs (2022): 151–154; Carruthers (2022): 46–54; 170–235.
40.
Riggs (2022): 170–71; Janmyr (2017): 718 n. 3; 729.
41.
Fernea, Fernea, and Rouchdy (1991).
42.
Säve-Söderbergh (1987).
43.
The UNESCO Currier dedicated several issues to the project (1960a, 1960b, 1961, 1964, 1980).
44.
Hassan (2007): 73–94.
45.
Meskell (2018): 28–58.
46.
Meskell (2018): 52.
47.
Luke (2019): 113–41.
48.
Luke and Meskell (2023): 195.
49.
Iğsız (2021): 199.
50.
Reynolds (2012): 193.
51.
Reynolds (2012): 194.
52.
Allais (2012): 179–215; Allais (2013); Allais (2018).
53.
Carruthers (2022). Also see Riggs (2022):151–54.
54.
Riggs (2022): 170–71.
55.
Reid (2002); Reid (2019); Colla (2007); Carruthers (2022); also see Chap. 2.
56.
See Chap. 2.
57.
Roehrig (2020): 96.
58.
Roehrig (2020): 96–101.
59.
On the changes to such laws, see Zaki (2022); Elkashef and Zaki (2022).
60.
Riggs (2022):148–51.
61.
Riggs (2022): 154–56.
62.
Riggs (2022): 156.
63.
Veronese (1960): 7.
64.
Riggs (2022): 157.
65.
See Säve-Söderbergh (1987) for the countries that excavated and financially supported the UNESCO project. Annex I: Direct Participation in Excavation and Preservation Work (223–26) and Annex IV: Trust Fund for Safeguarding the Monuments of Nubia (232–33).
66.
Säve-Söderbergh (1987); Meskell (2018); Carruthers (2022).
67.
April 6, 1961, letter to Congress from President John F. Kennedy, 1, John F. Kennedy Presidential Archives (henceforth “Kennedy Presidential Archives”).
68.
April 6, 1961, letter to Congress from President John F. Kennedy, 1, Kennedy Presidential Archives.
69.
January 8, 1963, letter from John A. Wilson to Mr. Max McCullough, 4, Kennedy Presidential Archives.
70.
April 6, 1961, letter from President John F. Kennedy to Congress, 1, Kennedy Presidential Archives.
71.
Correspondence in the Kennedy Presidential Archives suggests that Wilson’s views are representative of what many academics felt. Letters came from curators and academics at the Smithsonian, the University Museum at the University of Pennsylvania, the Met, Yale, the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), and other institutions.
72.
Other cultural leaders, such as S. Dillon Ripley, the secretary of the Smithsonian, also testified before Congress in support of US involvement to influence independent nations, such as Egypt, not just to counter the Soviet Union; see Carruthers (2022): 211.
73.
Wilson (1960): 576–584. Rainey also submitted a letter that echoed Wilson’s sentiments. Not all American Egyptologists and museum curators supported US involvement; some believed that the United States would only receive unexceptional, quotidian objects; Luke and Meskell (2023): 201.
74.
Wilson (1960): 576.
75.
Wilson (1960): 576.
76.
Luke and Meskell (2023): 201.
77.
Wilson (1960): 582–83.
78.
Wilson (1960): 584–85.
79.
Riggs (2022): 158.
80.
On the idea of Tutankhamun as an ambassador, see Riggs (2022): 4; 142.
81.
Riggs (2022): 159.
82.
Riggs (2022): 159.
83.
Okasha (1961).
84.
Okasha (1961).
85.
Luke (2019): 114–15.
86.
Film of Mrs. Kennedy at U.A.R. Tutankhamun Treasure Exhibit at the National Gallery, 3 November 1961. Digital identifier: USG-01-11.
87.
Smith (1998): 63.
88.
Okasha (1974) and Okasha (2009): 223–43.
89.
See below for a detailed discussion of these concepts and in Chap. 1 and previous chapters.
90.
Arizona Daily Star (1961): 25.
91.
Chattanooga Daily Times (1961): 1; Evansville Press (1961): 15; Evening Standard (1961): 28; Lancaster New Era (1961): 2.
92.
Arizona Daily Star (1961): 25. Verifying the accuracy of this proposed find spot has proven impossible.
93.
Riggs (2022): 161.
94.
Riggs (2022): 161.
95.
Monroe Morning World (1961): 7.
96.
Digital Giza, n.d.; object identifier: JFKL_MO_95.72.
97.
Luke (2019): 119.
98.
Spencer (2020).
99.
Spencer (2020).
100.
Wilson (1960): 584.
101.
This law was passed as part of the 1954 Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act, which instituted the Office of Food for Peace. PL 480 was in existence until 1969 (see Luke 2019).
102.
Luke (2019): 114.
103.
On the use of PL 480 in Turkey and Egypt, see Luke (2019) 110, 114, 120, 122–28, 130–40.
104.
Carruthers (2022): 209–210, see n. 16.
105.
Luke (2019): 114.
106.
Allais (2013): 21.
107.
Carruthers (2022): 210; Luke (2019): 119–20.
108.
Allais (2013): 22.
109.
Luke (2019): 114.
110.
Luke (2019): 114.
111.
Luke (2019): 127.
112.
Luke (2019): 114.
113.
The total amount of US funds given to Egypt was $18,382,132.50; Sudan received $118,825.21. Säve-Söderbergh (1987): 234.
114.
Allais (2012): 194; Allais (2013): 23; Allais (2018): 238–40.
115.
Nichols (2016): 130; also see Nichols (2014): 144–59.
116.
Nichols (2016): 131.
117.
Nichols (2016): 134.
118.
Stevenson (2019): 187.
119.
Allais (2012): 179.
120.
Säve-Söderbergh (1987): 136.
121.
Minas-Nerpel (2012): 376.
122.
Säve-Söderbergh (1987): 128–32
123.
Allais (2012): 194.
124.
“Nubian Campaign: The Quid Pro Quo,” Background Book on Abu Simbel, Tab 3, Kennedy Presidential Archives (no author, no date, presumably 1961).
125.
Allais (2012): 194. Allais (2018): 238–40 conveys the same sentiment.
126.
Allais (2012): 194, n. 25.
127.
Allais (2012): 194; UNESCO Courier (1961): 22–23.
128.
Allais (2012): 194, n. 27.
129.
Hassan (2007): 92–93.
130.
Aldred (1978): 15; Säve-Söderbergh (1987): 129.
131.
Okasha, as quoted in Säve-Söderbergh (1987): 137.
132.
Carruthers (2022).
133.
Säve-Söderbergh (1987): 137–38.
134.
Säve-Söderbergh (1987): 138.
135.
The temple was disassembled in 1963. “Proposal for Locating the Egyptian Temple of Dendur in the National Capital Area,” Kennedy Presidential Archives.
136.
New York Times (1967).
137.
Esterow (1967).
138.
December 13, 1966, letter from President Johnson to Roger L. Stevens, chairman of the National Council on the Arts, and Barnaby C. Keeney, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, 18007, PA 2/TX GI4 CO304 RA FG 266-1-1, FG 266-2-1, Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Archives. On the composition of the committee, see Esterow (1967) and New York Times (1967).
139.
“Proposal for Locating the Egyptian Temple of Dendur in the National Capital Area,” 16–19 and Appendix D, Kennedy Presidential Archives. Also see October 4, 1966, letter from Robert C. Hedlund (development supervisor, Dow Corning) to Dr. Gus W. Van Beek, associate curator, Cultural Anthropology, Smithsonian. Kennedy Presidential Archives.
140.
“Proposal for Locating the Egyptian Temple of Dendur in the National Capital Area,” 2, Kennedy Presidential Archives.
141.
“Proposal for Locating the Egyptian Temple of Dendur in the National Capital Area,” 2–3, Kennedy Presidential Archives.
142.
“Proposal for Locating the Egyptian Temple of Dendur in the National Capital Area,” 6, Kennedy Presidential Archives.
143.
“Proposal for Locating the Egyptian Temple of Dendur in the National Capital Area,” 4, Kennedy Presidential Archives.
144.
“Proposal for Locating the Egyptian Temple of Dendur in the National Capital Area,” 6, Kennedy Presidential Archives.
145.
March 2, 1967, letter from William W. Warner, director, Office of International Activities, Smithsonian, to Mrs. Pamela Timmins, Mrs. Kennedy’s personal secretary, Kennedy Presidential Archives.
146.
April 6, 1967, letter from S. Z. Lewin to Mr. John B. Gardner, special assistant to the chairman, the Temple of Dendur Archive, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Archives (henceforth “the Met Archives”.
147.
April 6, 1967, letter from S. Z. Lewin to Mr. John B. Gardner, special assistant to the chairman, the Met Archives.
148.
New York Times (1967).
149.
Allais (2012): 208.
150.
1967–1968 Dendur, Temple of, Financing and Legal Papers Collection, Hoving, Box 11, Folder 11, the Met Archives.
151.
1967–1968 Dendur, Temple of, Financing and Legal Papers Collection, Hoving, Box 11, Folder 11, the Met Archives.
152.
March 7, 1968, letter from Frederick O’Reilly Hayes to Thomas Hoving; Dendur, Temple of, Financing and Legal Papers Collection, Hoving, Box 11, Folder 11, the Met Archives.
153.
New York Times (1971).
154.
McGill (1987).
155.
Rosenblatt (1978): 67. The Arab–Israeli War of 1967, also known as the Six-Day War, delayed the transfer of the temple.
156.
Rosenblatt (1978): 67.
157.
June 4, 1968, letter (unsigned) “Re: Temple of Dendur” to Mr. Lonhry and Mr. Klein, Temple of Dendur, Financing and Legal Papers Collection, 1967–1968, Hoving, Box 11, Folder 11, the Met Archives.
158.
Rosenblatt (1978): 69.
159.
See below for a discussion of the removal of the Sackler family name from the complex. On the gift from the family, see Carter (1975) and Glueck (1983).
160.
Rosenblatt (1978): 71.
161.
Rosenblatt (1978): 71–75.
162.
Rosenblatt (1978): 78.
163.
For example, Lansdell (1978): 158; newspaper clip**s from the Cleveland (Ohio) Plain Dealer (September 16, 1978) and the Baltimore Morning Sun (September 16, 1978); Exhibition Temple of Dendur / 1978 / Box 90, Folder 1, the Met Archives.
164.
Cates (2017); Dedication Pamphlet, December 9, 1978, Exhibition Temple of Dendur / 1978 / Box 90, Folder 1, the Met Archives.
165.
Hindley (2015).
166.
Jackson (Mississippi) Clarion-Ledger, “New York Museum to Display Egyptian Temple, Braces for Tut.” This AP byline was reprinted in many regional and local newspapers, including the Lubbock (Texas) Morning Avalanche, September 16, 1978; Hackensack Sunday Record, September 17, 1978. Exhibition Temple of Dendur / 1978 / Box 90, Folder 1, the Met Archives.
167.
Jackson (Mississippi) Clarion-Ledger, “New York Museum to Display Egyptian Temple, Braces for Tut.”
168.
Green (1989): 77.
169.
Solomon (2020).
170.
Hindley (2015).
171.
Bryon Belt, “Nile Exhibit ‘Flows’ into NY.” Sunday Star-Ledger, September 24, 1978, part of the Newhouse News Service. Older: Exhibition Temple of Dendur / 1978 / Box 90, Folder 1, the Met Archives.
172.
Stevens (1978). Steve Martin did a “King Tut” skit for Saturday Night Live, the popular comedy television show, in 1978; see Riggs (2022): 253.
173.
Stevens (1978).
174.
Stevens (1978).
175.
Stevens (1978).
176.
Burks (1970).
177.
Burks (1970).
178.
Goldberger (1979): 50.
179.
Goldberger (1979): 50.
180.
Spengler (1978).
181.
Spengler (1978).
182.
Spengler (1978).
183.
Huxtable (1978): 21.
184.
Schulze (1978).
185.
Burnham (1968): 46; Gissen (2009): 68. There does not seem to be any further archival information about this request; the CORE Archive in the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture does not mention it. L. E. J. Randall, who runs a website about the history of CORE (and whose parents were CORE members), also had no further information about this request.
186.
Burnham (1968): 46.
187.
Diop (1974).
188.
Gissen (2009): 63.
189.
Greenland (2018).
190.
Carruthers (2022): 276. The base cost of renting the Temple of Dendur requires one to be a “Corporate Patron Program, Director’s Circle” member (membership level: $60,000), while a reception starts at a base $49,000 operational cost; a reception and dinner starts at $65,000. See the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2020): 3.
191.
Allon (2023).
192.
For example, tickets for the Brooklyn-based Pakistani singer and Grammy winner Arooj Aftab’s performance at the Temple of Dendur cost $70; see the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2022).
193.
Schulman (2022) states that thirty protestors participated.
194.
Walters (2018).
195.
Laura Poitras’s Oscar-nominated 2022 documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed explores Nan Goldin’s crusade to bring the Sacklers to account for the opioid epidemic.
196.
Schulman (2022).
197.
Pogrebin (2021).
198.
Gissen (2009): 74–76; Allais (2012): 206–209; Carruthers (2022): 274–276.
199.
Greenland (2018): 140.
200.
National Geographic Society. n.d.
201.
Richter and Steiner (2008): 939.
202.
Richter and Steiner (2008): 952.
203.
Richter and Steiner (2008): 952.
204.
COVID-19 was a disaster for Egypt’s tourism industry in 2020, but other sectors of the economy recovered relatively quickly due to limited lockdowns.
205.
Säve-Söderbergh (1987): 138.

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M.A. Program in Liberal Studies, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
Elizabeth R. Macaulay

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Macaulay, E.R. (2024). An Exquisite Toy: The Temple of Dendur, a Gift for New York. In: Archaeological Ambassadors. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51391-6_5

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51391-6_5
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