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Buddhas of Bamiyan

This article is about a World Heritage Site
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Buddhas of Bamiyan
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Taller Buddha of Bamyan before 2001
LocationBamyan, Afghanistan
Part ofCultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamyan Valley
CriteriaCultural: i, ii, iii, iv, vi.
Reference208-001
Inscription2003 (27th Session)
Endangered2003-present
Area105 ha
Buffer zone225.25 ha
Coordinates34°49′55″N 67°49′36″E / 34.83194°N 67.82667°E / 34.83194; 67.82667
Buddhas of Bamiyan is located in Afghanistan
Buddhas of Bamiyan
Location of Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan

The Buddhas of Bamiyan (Persian: بت‌های باميانbut hay-e bamiyan) were two 6th century[1] monumental statues of standing Buddhas carved into the side of a cliff. They are in the Bamyan valley in the Hazarajat region of central Afghanistan.

They were dynamited and destroyed in March 2001 by the Taliban.[2] Japan and Switzerland, among others, have said they would help rebuild the statues.[3]

Taller Buddha in 1963 and in 2008 after destruction
Smaller Buddha in 1977

References

[change | change source]
  1. Gall, Carlotta (2006-12-05). "Afghans consider rebuilding Bamiyan Buddhas". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  2. Bamiyan Valley
  3. Waduge, Shenali (2008-03-14). "Afghans destroy Buddhas, but cry foul over cartoons". The Nation. Retrieved 2008-04-29.