Huge archeological discovery: 3000 ancient buddhas unearthed in China. 1500 years old.

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Experts believe the statues may have been collected and ritualistically buried after the fall of the Northern Qi dynasty in attempt by later emperors in an attempt to purge the country of Buddhism.

Katherine Tsiang, director of the Center for the Art of East Asia at the University of Chicago, told National Geographic Daily: 'It may have been that some of the ruins and broken sculptures from the past were gathered from old temple sites and buried in a pit.'

Others, Ms Tsiang said, appeared to be 'respectfully buried in an orderly way', suggesting burials were done by Buddhists in times of danger. The statues range from approximately eight inches long to several feet high.




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