Antiquities Protection, Cont.

Following on this post, there's been a pretty cool find in the Bamiyan region of Afghanistan - the world's first known oil paintings. A technique thought to have originated in 12th century Europe, the use of oil-based paints on the cave walls of Bamiyan (where the giant Buddha statues were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001) dates to 650 A.D. The scenes, depicting robed Buddhas, are being catalogued and studied by a team of Japanese, European, and American scientists. Pending greater stability in Afghanistan, one can imagine this site as a major attraction for art lovers - something akin to the Lascaux caves in France.