The history of this state includes four main periods of its formation. Each of the eras left its mark on the development of the country and we can say that the customs and traditions of paganism, and Hellenism, and Buddhism, and Islam have been preserved in the culture of Afghanistan. One way or another, the cultural heritage is associated with the religion that dominates the territory of the state in a given historical period.
Gray-haired old man
The oldest period in the history of Afghanistan's culture dates back to pagan times. More than four thousand years ago, in the agricultural settlement of Deh Morashi Gonday, a sanctuary was built, decorated with terracotta figures of the Mother Goddess. A little later, a round Dashly temple appeared in the Dashly Tapa area.
The Hellenistic period in the culture of Afghanistan left the descendants of the Greco-Bactrian ancient city of Ai-Khanum. The ruins of the palace complex, the temple-mausoleum and the main religious building, decorated with a statue of Zeus, have survived to this day. The theater, excavated on the territory of Ai-Khanum, is the only such structure in the territory of Central Asia. The city flourished in the 3rd century BC, and was destroyed by nomadic tribes in the 2nd century BC. NS.
History of the Bamiyan Valley
Buddhist monasteries appeared on the territory of Afghanistan in the II century, and at the same time, the construction of giant statues of Buddha began in the Bamiyan Valley. They were carved directly into the rock and supplemented with durable plaster. The giants, which were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003, had already received serious "injuries" at the hands of the Taliban, who believed that "pagan idols" should be destroyed.
Fortunately, in the monastery of this valley, another giant statue of the reclining Buddha was discovered, which scientists are currently excavating.
The Taliban and their "legacy"
The Taliban, which came to power in most of the country, took control of many objects and entire cities and provinces in 1996. The culture of Afghanistan suffered enormous damage, as the spiritual leaders of the Taliban were notable for their intolerance to any gentiles and their customs.
The modern government has formally won a victory over the Taliban groups, but the restoration of cultural and historical sites in Afghanistan is still impossible due to the difficult economic and political situation in the country.
