'World's oldest' 48-feet long Buddha statue unearthed in Haripur district

[Kabira]

A centuries-old 'sleeping Buddha' statue has been unearthed during excavations near Bhamala Stupa in Haripur district, DawnNewsreported on Thursday.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archaeology And Museums Director Dr Abdul Samad said,"The 48-feet long 'sleeping Buddha' statue dates back to the third century, which makes it the world's oldest 'sleeping Buddha' statue."

He told DawnNews that archaeologists found the statue, with its head intact, during excavations near the Bhamala Stupa.

"We have discovered more than 500 Buddha-related objects during excavations, in addition to the 48-feet long 'sleeping Buddha',” he said.

The latest discoveries by the archaeologists have opened new chapters in the history of the ancient Taxila Valley Civilisation.

“This is one of the few sites in the world to have the cruciform Stupa, which was reserved for Buddha himself,” Samad had earlier told Dawn.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1370905

 

[Kabira]

Can we get some pictures of this?

 

[El Sidd]

This is national treasure. Please do not let some corrupt politician make a business out of it.

 

[Spring Onion]

A centuries-old 'sleeping Buddha' statue has been unearthed during excavations near Bhamala Stupa in Haripur district, DawnNewsreported on Thursday.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archaeology And Museums Director Dr Abdul Samad said,"The 48-feet long 'sleeping Buddha' statue dates back to the third century, which makes it the world's oldest 'sleeping Buddha' statue."

He told DawnNews that archaeologists found the statue, with its head intact, during excavations near the Bhamala Stupa.

"We have discovered more than 500 Buddha-related objects during excavations, in addition to the 48-feet long 'sleeping Buddha',” he said.

The latest discoveries by the archaeologists have opened new chapters in the history of the ancient Taxila Valley Civilisation.

“This is one of the few sites in the world to have the cruciform Stupa, which was reserved for Buddha himself,” Samad had earlier told Dawn.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1370905

I think the discoveries were made in 2015 and it is only today that these have been opened for public view.
Though there are no fresh pics yet but only of Imran Khan who inagurated the presentation today. Am posting some pics from 2015 I think these are of the same discovery (BUT Here in DAWN story it says they found the Buddha statue with head intact whereas the pictures from 2015 discovery have a missing head).

The sculpture depicting the Death Scene of Buddha after consolidation. PHOTO COURTESY: DIRECTORATE OF ARCHAEOLOGY & MUSEUMS, GOVERNMENT OF KHYBER-PAKHTUNKHWA

Terracotta head from Bhamala 2. PHOTO COURTESY: DIRECTORATE OF ARCHAEOLOGY & MUSEUMS, GOVERNMENT OF KHYBER-PAKHTUNKHWA

A terracotta broken head unearthed in Bhamala. PHOTO COURTESY: DIRECTORATE OF ARCHAEOLOGY & MUSEUMS, GOVERNMENT OF KHYBER-PAKHTUNKHWA

Can we get some pictures of this?

BTW I visited Taxila Buddhist sites last month and can post some pictures from my personal album but in a relevant thread or here if anyone wants.

 

[Kabira]

^^

Is this really 48 feet long?

 

[Spring Onion]

^^

Is this really 48 feet long?

It says 14 meter I do not know how much feet it counts from meter. But again as I said the today's news says that they found the sleeping Buddha statue with head intact so may be that is another one. These above pics arfe from 2015 discoveries

 

[Kabira]

It says 14 meter I do not know how much feet it counts from meter. But again as I said the today's news says that they found the sleeping Buddha statue with head intact so may be that is another one. These above pics arfe from 2015 discoveries

Headless bhuddha don't look like 14 meter long. Maybe this is new discovery with head intact.

 

[Sliver]

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archaeology And Museums Director Dr Abdul Samad said,"The 48-feet long 'sleeping Buddha' statue dates back to the third century, which makes it the world's oldest 'sleeping Buddha' statue."

boy am I glad for this. instead of being discovered on the other side of the border. visiting the Bamiyan Buddha was on my bucket list and it hurt a lot when it was bombarded to rubble by the Taliban. I am hoping Pakistan is much better at preserving these precious remnants from the past.

but saddened seeing the faceless Buddha statues. Any defacement of such precious articles is vandalism - why do people need to deface such statues I never understand!

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

A centuries old 'sleeping Buddha' statue has been unearthed during excavations near Bhamala Stupa in Haripur district, DawnNewsreported on Thursday.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archaeology And Museums Director Dr Abdul Samad said,"The 48-feet long 'sleeping Buddha' statue dates back to the third century, which makes it the world's oldest 'sleeping Buddha' statue."

He told DawnNews that archaeologists found the statue, with its head intact, during excavations near the Bhamala Stupa.

"We have discovered more than 500 Buddha-related objects during excavations, in addition to the 48-feet long 'sleeping Buddha',” he said.

The latest discoveries by the archaeologists have opened new chapters in the history of the ancient Taxila Valley Civilisation.

“This is one of the few sites in the world to have the cruciform Stupa, which was reserved for Buddha himself,” Samad had earlier told Dawn.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1370905/w...g-buddha-statue-unearthed-in-haripur-district

boy am I glad for this. instead of being discovered on the other side of the border. visiting the Bamiyan Buddha was on my bucket list and it hurt a lot when it was bombarded to rubble by the Taliban. I am hoping Pakistan is much better at preserving these precious remnants from the past.

but saddened seeing the faceless Buddha statues. Any defacement of such precious articles is vandalism - why do people need to deface such statues I never understand!

Not vandalism... the taliban fired at a few statues... but they were restored... another menace we faced were robbers who smuggled them to the west.... but are now guarded.... alot of Paks national heritage still lies in british and indian museums... waiting to come home..

Other artifacts have been moved to museums..

A few Buddha Statues from Gandhara

 

[Pakistani E]

My mother was born in Haripur, good to see this area on the world map!

 

[django]

Just waiting for folk from across Radcliffe line to start making their claims about the ownership.

 

[cerberus]

Great Evacuation hope Pakistan Historical authorities Take care of this Historical Treasure

 

[Reichsmarschall]

My mother was born in Haripur, good to see this area on the world map!

do you speak hindko?

 

[NoOne'sBoy]

no surprises. buddha statue making was started by greeks. they probably ruled that area back in the day

 

[MultaniGuy]

Well good for tourism