Construction of Shanhour canal, near Al Uqsur, Egypt

"The Aswan Dam was subsequently supplemented by a barrage at Asyut, halfway between Aswan and Cairo. The function of this barrier is to divert the flow of the reservoir water into a network of canals. The results were impressive. Egypt's cultivable land increased dramatically and three harvests a year were ensured." [Kamil Jill, 1993: Aswan and Abu Simbel, History and Guide. The American University in Cairo Press]. "With the village of Karnak, Luxor (Al Uqsur) is on the site of ancient Thebes (capital of the New Kingdom). It is noted for having ruins of many temples and burial grounds. When Thebes declined, Luxor remained the more heavily populated part of the ancient city and grew into a modern market town." [The J. P. Getty Fund: Art and Architecture Thesaurus]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for American Institute of Architects, directing the Egyptian portion of the documentary on Ancient Egypt, March 1965 and September 1965.