Third Bamiyan Buddha found?

French archaeologists say they are a step closer to solving the mystery of Afghanistan’s legendary lost “third Buddha” of Bamiyan.

After five weeks of excavations in the famed valley of the Buddhas in central Afghanistan, the team of archaeologists say they have found evidence which could cast light on the whereabouts of the “reclining Buddha” mentioned by ancient travellers to the region.

According to French-Afghan archaeologist Zemaryali Tarzi, his team has confirmed “100 percent” the existence of a monastery at the foot of immense sandstone cliffs which until March 2001 sheltered two enormous ancient Buddhas which were destroyed by the Taliban to a chorus of international outrage.

The monastery and the lost reclining Buddha were mentioned by 7th century Buddhist pilgrim Xuan Zang in the account of his travels between China and India.

Posted by David on September 17, 2003 10:38 AM