Russia (bbabo.net) - In Pakistan, Italian archaeologists have discovered one of the most ancient Buddhist temples in the world. The stone remains of the walls and other artifacts found during excavations in the city of Barikot date back to the second half of the 2nd century BC.

According to Unive, the Italian mission has been working in the Gandhar region since 1955, but large-scale discoveries were made only recently - in October last year.

"The discovery of a great religious monument dating back to the Indo-Greek period shows that it was an important and ancient center of worship and pilgrimage. At that time, Swat was already a sacred land for Buddhism," says Professor Olivieri.

Archaeologists have found that the ancient temple was repeatedly subjected to acts of vandalism. The building is over three meters high. The temple is built on an apsidal podium, on which stands a cylindrical structure with a small stupa.

The researchers found that the temple was built on the remains of an earlier structure during the reign of Menander I, fragments of inscriptions written on ceramics in the Kharosh script, and several coins were also found. Scientists believe that the monument was abandoned at the beginning of the 3rd century AD, when the lower city was destroyed by an earthquake.

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The city of Barikot is mentioned in Greek and Latin texts as "Bazira" or "Vajrasthana" - one of the cities besieged by Alexander the Great. Barikot was an important city for managing all the agricultural surpluses of the Swat valley, which, due to its microclimate, allows grain or rice to be harvested twice a year. Thus, the city was a kind of "granary", which Alexander the Great took advantage of before continuing his campaign in India.

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