Mes Aynak: Afghanistan's Ancient Buddhist Site Threatened by Copper Mining (2025 Updates)

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  In the rugged mountains of Logar Province, just 40 kilometers southeast of Kabul, lies Mes Aynak – one of Afghanistan's most significant ancient Buddhist sites. Often called a "little copper spring" in Pashto, this sprawling archaeological treasure was once a thriving Buddhist monastery complex along the Silk Road. Dating back over 2,000 years to the Kushan Empire, Mes Aynak features massive stupas, intricate Buddha statues, and evidence of early copper mining intertwined with monastic life. But in 2025, this ancient Buddhist heritage site in Afghanistan faces an ongoing threat from one of the world's largest untapped copper deposits below it. In this detailed guide, we'll explore the history of Mes Aynak Buddhist site, its breathtaking discoveries, and the latest developments in the battle to save it. Aerial view of Mes Aynak ancient Buddhist ruins in Afghanistan, showing the vast monastery complex amid mountains. Location and Historical Significance of ...
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Stupa of takht-e-rostam in Afghanistan

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https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com
To find the remnants of the Buddhist past, one has to search extremely thoroughly. The ones rich excavation
Siteshave turned to rubble after decades of warand neglect,the museum collection were looted or irreparably damaged, and takht-e-rostam and bamiyan Buddha are country's stronger reminder of of its Buddhist past- destroyed by Taliban in 2001.
Takht -e-rostam is stupa monetary complex 2 km south of the town of haibak
Built in 4th-5th century AD while the area was under kushano- sasanian dynasty the complex is curved entirely from the bed rock and consist of five chamber ,two of then sanctuary.Following the Muslim conquests of Afghanistan the original purpose of the monetary was lost.
The caves system in takht-e- rostam shown in figure


Since the destruction of bamiyan  buddha the stupa of takht-e-rostam in samangan province 
  is arguably most impressive pre- Islamic site in Afghanistan. Unlike other stupas of takht-e-rostam has not been mounded above ground, in a style resembles to monolithic churches of Ethiopia. At the top of stupa is a stone curved harmika building which one held relices of buddha.the trench surrounding the stupa is around 8 m deep.
The path lead down to the bottom of the trench, where Buddhist monk once clockwise circumnavigated the stupa
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Many historian have purposed two reason why stupa curved in the ground. One explanation is that may have been protect from invaders.And other explains that some climatic conditions. The ruins was located up the hills 3km southwest from the town of samangan.


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