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Afghanistan: Excavations at the ancient Buddhist site of Mes Aynak, 35km south of Kabul, c. 6th-7th century, Jerome Starkey (photographer 2011)

About 30 kms from Kabul, Mes Aynak, is a trove of Buddhist monastery ruins, statues, and stupas attesting to the prolific role that Afghanistan played in the proliferation of Buddhism in Central and East Asia. Currently being excavated as a copper mine, rescue excavations began in 2009. Work was undertaken by the National Institute of Archaeology and the Delegation Archeologique Francaise en Afghanistan. Part of the monastic compound was excavated, leading to the discovery of a vaulted chapel, monks’ cells and storerooms.

Polychrome terracotta statues were also found, including a sleeping Buddha. A monastery complex has also been dug out, revealing hallways and rooms decorated with frescoes and filled with clay and stone statues of standing and reclining Buddhas, some as high as 10 ft (3m); more than 150 statues have been found so far though many remain in place.