Some historical sites get more attention than others but there are many locations, either more remote or less proclaimed, which deserve further investigation. The following three sites of the Asian Sub-continent are all featured on the UNESCO World Heritage List and are the origin of some breath-taking works of art. This combined with their location in areas of great natural beauty create fitting and atmospheric contexts for the treasures they hold.
Afghanistan: The Caves of Bamiyan:
The gaping hollows in the Bamiyan Valley, caused by the Taliban decimation of its Buddhist statues, left an enduring image in the minds of the world. However, few people realize that, behind these massive cavities, lie a labyrinth of caves forming a tunneled gallery of oil paintings. Locals still make their homes in them today but it is believed that the original occupants dated from the 5th Century AD. The cave murals display seated Buddhas with mythical creatures in the background, striking in their sophistication. In addition to their figurative beauty, they boast a richness of colour - deep reds and indigo blues - unusual for cave paintings from this time. In the archaeological world they are now believed to be the oldest oil paintings yet discovered. To visit these caves is to experience art history in a completely 'natural' space, of the sort that gallery architects dream about. The absence of the two major Buddha statues is an undeniable loss to art history, but some consolation can be gained from the fact that the tunnels now open out onto an awesome view of the rugged landscape. For anyone lucky enough to find themselves in this remote part of the world, the experience is unforgettable.
Cambodia: The Bas Relief of Ankhor Wat
Though considerably more recent than the other sites listed here, this temple complex contains arguably one of the World’s greatest masterpieces of ancient art, a work of epic and untimely accomplishment. Comprising 49 meters of larger-than-life murals, it is carved into the perimeter wall of Ankhor Wat, chief temple of the ancient Khmer capital. The carvings, narrating scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayan epics, are engaging and multi-layered . There are scenes depicting elephant warriors, elaborate chariots and soldiers trooping through tropical foliage, with a wealth of detail and story-telling compressed into every scene. Fortunately, it is one of the more accessible places to visit and is as memorable for children as for adults. My own sons, even at the low attention span of age five, filled entire sketchbooks with their drawings inspired by the Relief. The abundance of battle scenes and elephants no doubt helped to engage their boy-minds! To walk round the Bas Relief and track the animals and people in their continuous activity is to experience a motion picture from ancient times.
Pakistan: Clay works and Sculptures of the Indus Valley:
The sites of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro are two of the oldest known sites of planned urban settlements, dating from around 2600 BC. Boasting extraordinary feats of architecture and engineering, the digs have also offered up many examples of solid-but-aesthetic art. The infamous bronze statue known as The Dancing Girl, said to reduce leading male academics world-wide to gibbering wrecks, is a prime example of the way in which art from this period combines technical competence with the evocation of feeling and movement. Other findings include intricate signs and animal drawings on terracotta stamps and seals, toy bullock carts with rotating wheels, and perfume holders which double up as air fresheners. The influence of the Indus Civilizations’ art can be seen in India and Pakistan today. For example, the pattern on the shawl of The Bearded Priest-King figure resembles the ajarak scarf still worn by Pakistani men. The sites of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro present examples of archeology as discovery in progress and are set in timeless countryside locations. But depending on where you live, it is possible to view some of these artifacts ‘closer to home’: the National Museum of Pakistan, Karachi, houses a quaint but well-preserved collection, as does the National Museum of New Delhi in India and the British Museum, London.
References
Ancient Buddhist Paintings: ScienceDaily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422083309.htm
Rediscovering Treasures of Bamiyan: By Alistair Leithhead; www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7508917.stm
Mohen-Jo-Daro: www.viewpakistan.com/Destination_Moenjodaro.html
Mehrgarh, Pakistan: Discovery of a 9,000-Year-Old Civilized Settlement: http://www.semp.us/publications/biot_reader.php?BiotID=579
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