The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNSECO) has resumed work on preserving heritage sites in Bamiyan.
According to ARTnews, through a projected funded by Italy, UNESCO has begun working to preserve Bamiyan’s cultural and archaeological sites which were listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger in 2003, which ARTnews says, includes wall paintings and religious relics from the 3rd to 5th century C.E.
“The Bamiyan Valley is the most monumental expression of the western Buddhism. It was an important center of pilgrimage over many centuries,” UNESCO said, adding, “Due to their symbolic values, the monuments have suffered at different times of their existence, including the deliberate destruction in 2001, which shook the whole world.”
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UNESCO, ARTnews reports, is has been working on preserving the minaret of Jam and other sites in Kabul, Kandahar, Zabul and Ghazni.
The Taliban has not commented on the UNESCO’s project.
In March 2001, despite international pleas and outrage, the group destroyed the ancient Buddhas of Bamiyan.
