Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley
This site is inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Overview
The cultural landscape and archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley represent the artistic and religious developments which from the 1st to the 13th centuries characterized ancient Bakhtria, integrating various cultural influences into the Gandhara school of Buddhist art. The area contains numerous Buddhist monastic ensembles and sanctuaries, as well as fortified edifices from the Islamic period. The site is also testimony to the tragic destruction by the Taliban of the two standing Buddha statues, which shook the world in March 2001.
About Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley
The Buddhas of Bamiyan were two monumental Buddhist reliefs in the Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan, carved possibly around the 6th-century. Located 130 kilometres (81 mi) to the northwest of Kabul, at an elevation of 2,500 metres (8,200 ft), carbon dating of the structural components of the Buddhas has determined the smaller 38 m (125 ft) "Eastern Buddha" was built around 570 CE, and the larger 55 m (180 ft) "Western Buddha" was built around 618 CE, which would date both to the time when the Hephthalites ruled the region.
Read more on WikipediaSelection Criteria
(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)
Components(8 locations)
- •Bamiyan Cliff including niches of the 38 meter Buddha, seated Buddhas, 55 meter Buddha and surrounding caves208-001
- •Shahr-i-Zuhak208-005
- •Qallay Kaphari A208-006
- •Qallay Kaphari B208-007
- •Shahr-i-Ghulghulah208-008
- •Qoul-I Akram Caves in the Fuladi Valley208-003
- •Kalai Ghamai Caves in the Fuladi Valley208-004
- •Kakrak Valley caves including the niche of the standing Buddha208-002
Details
- Countries
- Afghanistan
- ISO Codes
- AF
- Area
- 158.927 ha
- Coordinates
- 34.8469, 67.8252
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Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley
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Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley