Bamiyan Buddha In Afganistan
President of the Association for the Protection of Afgan Archaeology (APPA) since 2002, Professor Zemaryalai Tarzi was previously Director General of Archaeology and Preservation of Historical Monuments of Afghanistan, from 1973 to 1979. He later directed the excavations in Bamiyan and Hadda on the sites of Tape Shotor and Tape Tope Kalan. As a result the statue of Heracles, in the niche V2 of Tape Shotor, was dated by him from the 2nd century A.D., contemporary with the schist sculptures of Gandhara. Exiled in France in 1979, he taught Eastern Archaeology at the Marc Bloch University of Strasbourg, France. Professor Tarzi is the author of many books and his great contribution to specialized magazines is numerous.
Through this Association Professor Tarzi assists in educating the younger generations as well as the older ones, by publishing childrens books as well as training young Archaeologists into becoming Professionals of the trowel and efficient restorers, providing them with the necessary tools and equipment thus giving hope and education to a country left in the dark for a quarter of a century of war. Raising awareness in the Afghan and International communities about the unique and beautiful Archeological and cultural contribution Afghanistan has given to the world and its protection is one of APAA’s goals. Professor Tarzi has dedicated his last 40 years to that fervent mission.
~Widya
