Bamiyan: Buddhist cave temples in Afghanistan

Abstract

The Kyoto University Archaeological Mission carried out research on the Bamiyan caves in Afghanistan between 1970 and 1978. We aimed at making a general photogrammatic map of the whole area, attributing numbers to all the caves and documenting their murals. The principal cliff extends over 1,300 m linear distance and its maximum height is 150 m. More than 750 Buddhist caves were hollowed out along this cliff. The caves consist of several types of construction: two niches of standing Grand Buddhas, five niches of Seated Buddhas, domed‐ceiling caves, vaulted‐ceiling caves, laternendecke‐ceiling caves and flat ceiling caves. About fifty caves have murals remaining inside; various types of figures are depicted in these: buddhas, decorated buddhas, boddhisatva figures (particularly Avalokitesvara) and circular mandala motifs are popular Some designs were influenced by Sassanian art.

Keywords:

• Afghanistan
• Central Asia
• Buddhism
• ritual sites
• sculpture