SURKH KOTAL BUDDHIST SITE

It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Afghanistan. Police officers are monitoring it. The site was discovered in the early 1950 s during the construction of the road linking Pul-e-Khumri to Mazar-e-Sharif. The DAFA (French Archaeological Delegation in Afghanistan) carried out excavations between 1952 and 1963 under the direction of Daniel Schlumberger. Today, there are only fragments of walls as well as Hellenistic marble columns, because the site was completely devastated during the fighting between 1992 and 2001.

Built in the days of the great Kouchans, the Buddhist site of Sukh Kotal consists of a large temple at the top of the hills and floors in terraces. It was founded by Kanishka, king of the Kouchans dynasty, circa 130 after J.-C. During the revolts following his death of Kanishka (between 350 and 250 of our era) he was burned. At the top of the hill, overlooking a wide range of fields, a large stone staircase crosses several terraces on five levels. At the top of the steps was the sacred altar. The whole is surrounded by ramparts. The whole of 18 ha.

Some remains of the site were assigned to the Kabul National Museum. These are pieces of a large statue representing Kanishka (it is recognised in its resemblance to the Kanishka on coins), destroyed by the Taliban, but now restored, as well as a slab with Greek inscriptions in the kouchan language. This is the first inscription of this importance in kouchan language never discovered.