2,000-year-old Buddhist statue discovered from Afghanistan

The ancient statue belongs to the Buddhist period and was crafted in the Greco-Buddhist style.

A rare Buddhist-era statue dating back nearly 2,000 years has been discovered in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, according to the Taliban’s Department of Information and Culture.

In a statement issued, the department said the ancient statue belongs to the Buddhist period and was crafted in the Greco-Buddhist style, reflecting a blend of Hellenistic and Buddhist artistic influences. The artifact was recovered from a house in the Kara Taz area of Kapisa.

The discovery comes amid long-standing accusations by historians and international organizations that the Taliban have damaged or neglected Afghanistan’s cultural and historical heritage.

Experts believe the statue could provide valuable insights into ancient Afghanistan’s art, culture, and its historical trade and cultural links with Buddhist civilizations.

The statue is currently in the custody of local authorities. However, it remains unclear whether international archaeologists and experts will be granted access to study the artifact.