After the Destruction of Giant Buddha Statues in Bamiyan (Afghanistan) in 2001: A UNESCO's Emergency Activity for the Recovering and Rehabilitation of Cliff and Niches (Natural Science in Archaeology)

This work reports on a real adventure in earth science and conservation, dealing with the UNESCO’s emergency activities implemented in Bamiyan (Central Afghanistan) for the recovery and rehabilitation of the cliff and niches after the destruction of the two famous Giant Statues in 2001. Since 2002 an international effort has been made to understand the geological characteristics of the area, the mechanical properties of local materials, petro-geophysical and sedimentological details as well as the historical and geological evolution of the Statues and cliff. Taken together, this information serves as a basis for the recovery and rehabilitation of the cliff and niches and is presented in detail. Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Introduction....Pages 1-3 The Foundation of the Colossal Buddha Statues....Pages 5-13 The History of the Buddhas of Bamiyan....Pages 15-60 UNESCO’s Activities for the Safeguarding of Bamiyan....Pages 61-67 General Environmental Condition of the Bamiyan Valley....Pages 69-100 The Tectonic Setting of Bamiyan and Seismicity in and Near Afghanistan for the Past Twelve Centuries....Pages 101-152 Properties of Local Materials....Pages 153-171 Possible Evolution of Niches and Trends....Pages 173-179 Past Experience in Conservation and Exploitation....Pages 181-193 Long-Term Conservation Strategy for Repair, Enhancement, Research, and Risk Preparedness for the Preservation of the Site....Pages 195-212 Emergency Intervention....Pages 213-247 The Back Wall of the Niches: Preliminary Considerations....Pages 249-263 Safeguarding the Clay Plaster Remains of the Eastern Buddha Statues and the Rear Side of the Niche....Pages 265-283 Back Matter....Pages 285-293 After the Destruction of Giant Buddha Statues in Bamiyan (Afghanistan) in 2001