Italian archaeologist helps Pakistan restore defaced Buddha statue

The Associated Press reports this week on Italian archaeologist Luca Olivieri and his team's efforts to repair the defaced Jahanabad Buddha in Jahanabad, Pakistan. The statue, which was created in the 6th or 7th century and was one of the largest monuments of its kind in South Asia, was destroyed by Pakistani Taliban, who consider such images idolatrous, in 2007. (The Taliban in Afghanistan notably destroyed the ancient Buddhas of Bamiyan for the same reason in 2001.)

The reconstruction is being funded by the Italian government, which, in collaboration with Pakistan, is also helping to ensure that "many other archaeological treasures in the scenic Swat Valley are being excavated and preserved." You can read the full article here.

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