Ancient artefacts including Buddha heads looted from Unesco site amid Afghan turmoil
- The items were stolen from a storage facility belonging to a French archaeological team working to conserve the site
- In 2001, when the Taliban were previously in power, they blew up and destroyed the two 6th century Great Buddhas of Bamiyan
Excavated Buddha heads and other items have been looted from the storage facility of a French archaeological team involved in conserving and restoring the famous Bamiyan site in central Afghanistan, a Unesco World Heritage Site, it was reported on Monday.
It is believed that thieves took advantage of the confusion that followed the Taliban’s takeover of the area in the first half of August to steal the artefacts, according to local residents and Japanese archaeologists whose warehouse was also targeted.
In 2001, when the Islamists were previously in power, they blew up and destroyed the two 6th century Great Buddhas of Bamiyan, carved into cliffs, based on an extreme interpretation of Islam that forbids idolatry.
The warehouse of the French corps stored valuable excavations from the vicinity of the “Eastern Buddha.”
According to a local man, there was a phone call asking him to buy items such as Buddha heads, coins and scriptures that seemed to have been stolen. An image of a Buddha head sent to the smartphone had the reference number of the French team.
This man had cooperated with foreign experts and was involved in the restoration of the ruins.