Ancient buddha

  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 ...

  In April 2025, Thailand's Fine Arts Department announced a significant archaeological discovery at Wat Dhammachak Semaram (also spelled Wat Thammachak Semaram) in Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand. During routine conservation work, workers uncovered a collection of well-preserved gold, silver, and bronze artifacts buried beneath the base of the temple's colossal sandstone reclining Buddha statue. This statue, measuring over 13 meters (approximately 43 feet) in length, is widely regarded as Thailand's oldest and longest reclining Buddha sculpture, dating back to the 7th century CE during the height of the Dvaravati period (6th–11th centuries CE). The Discovery Process and Initial Findings The artifacts came to light incidentally during efforts to install an underground drainage system aimed at reducing moisture accumulation around the statue's foundation. On April 21, 2025, at a depth of about 1.3 meters, workers encountered a damage...