Pre-Islamic Period of Afghanistan - Archaeological Remnants From Afghanistan's Pre-Islamic Period

Archaeological Remnants From Afghanistan's Pre-Islamic Period

Most of the Zoroastrian, Greek, Hellenistic, Buddhist, Hindu and other indigenous cultures were replaced by the coming of Islam and little influence remains in Afghanistan today. Along ancient trade routes, however, stone monuments of the once flourishing Buddhist culture did exist as reminders of the past. The two massive sandstone Buddhas of Bamyan, thirty-five and fifty-three meters high overlooked the ancient route through Bamyan to Balkh and dated from the 3rd and 5th centuries. They survived until 2001, when they were destroyed by the Taliban. In this and other key places in Afghanistan, archaeologists have located frescoes, stucco decorations, statuary, and rare objects from as far away as China, Phoenicia, and Rome, which were crafted as early as the 2nd century and bear witness to the influence of these ancient civilizations upon Afghanistan.

In 2010, reports showed up in the media that about 42 Buddhist relics have been discovered in the Logar Province of Afghanistan, which is south of Kabul. Some of these items date back to the 2nd century according to Archaeologists. The items included two Buddhist temples (Stupas), Buddha statues, frescos, silver and gold coins and precious beads.

"There is a temple, stupas, beautiful rooms, big and small statues, two with the length of seven and nine meters, colorful frescos ornamented with gold and some coins... Some of the relics date back to the fifth century (AD)... We have come across signs that there are items maybe going back to the era before Christ or prehistory... We need foreign assistance to preserve these and their expertise to help us with further excavations." —Mohammad Nader Rasouli, Afghan Archaeological Department Chronological Chart for the historical periods of Afghanistan -2200 — – -2000 — – -1800 — – -1600 — – -1400 — – -1200 — – -1000 — – -800 — – -600 — – -400 — – -200 — – 0 — – 200 — – 400 — – 600 — – 800 — – 1000 — – 1200 — – 1400 — – 1600 — – 1800 — – 2000 — – 2200 — Herāt Bādghis Balkh
Badakhshān Kābul Jalālābād Ghazni Kandahār Bust Seistān Proto Elamite Culture
in Gardān Rīg and Dam (Nīmrūz Province) Indus Valley Civilization
in Mundigak and Deh Morāsi Ghūndai (Kandahār Province) and Shūrtūghai (Takhār Province) Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex
in Dashli (Jawzjān Province) and Tepe Fullol (Baghlān Province) Coming of Iranians

c.1700-1100 BC: The Rigveda, one of the oldest known texts written in an Indo-European language, is composed in a region described as Sapta Sindhu ('land of seven great rivers', which may correspond to the Kabul Valley).
c. 1350 BC: Migration of waves of Iranian tribes begin from the Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex westwards to the Iranian plateau, western Afghanistan and western Iran. According to the Avesta (Vendidad 1.1-21), they are compelled to leave their homeland Airyana Vaēǰah because Aŋra Mainyu so altered the climate that the winter became ten months long and the summer only two. Along the way, they settle down near large rivers, such as Bāxδī, Harōiva, Haraxᵛaitī, etc. (See Avestan geography.)
c. 1100-550 BC: Zoroaster introduces a new religion at Bactra (Present-day Balkh) - Zoroastrianism - which spreads across Iranian plateau. He composes Older (i.e. 'Gathic') Avesta and later Younger Avesta is composed - at least - in Sīstān/Arachosia, Herāt, Merv and Bactria. Achaemenids Seleucids Mauryans Greco-Bactrians Indo-Greeks Parthians Parthians Early Kushans Great Kushans Sakas Indo-Parthians Indo-Parthians Sasanians Kushano-Sasanians Hephthalites Arabs Arabs Turkish Khanates Turki Shahis Hindu Shahis Kharijites Tahirids Saffarids Samanids Samanids Ghaznavids Seljuks Ghurids Ilkhanate (Mongols) Chaghatais Kartids Kayanis Timurids Khanate of Bukhara Mughals Safavids Safavids Durrani Empire Barakzai dynasty Modern Afghanistan