Ancient Buddhist Rock Carvings Threatened in Pakistan

DAWN
By Suhail Yusuf

The beautiful carvings of two Buddhas flanking a stupa. –.
Photo courtesy of Harald Hauptmann /

PAKISTAN - Northern Pakistan is going to lose one of the most precious rock art carvings due to construction of the Diamer-Basha Dam. The proposed site of the dam hosts some 30,000 ancient art carvings and inscriptions which may vanish forever due to the construction of this reservoir. In the first century AD, Buddhism emerged in the area as new belief system and reached its peak between the fifth and eighth century. Many spectacular carvings of Buddha and stupas – sacred buildings – and related inscriptions were found carved in the same era. According the Hauptmann, the historic period of early Buddhism started from this area because of findings of old Indian style Khorashti language or Sanskrit. The venerations of Buddha and names of different kings show the climax of Buddhism in this area. [link]

(Always) remember that (one day) you must die.” –.
Photo courtesy of Harald Hauptmann / Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Germany.