WORLD HERITAGE SITE - WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 2 GIANT BUDDHAS OF AFGHANISTAN?

Here is a unit that creates student interest and opportunity for class discussion about the need to maintain and protect World Heritage Sites. You will see that the material within this standalone unit cuts across curriculum topics of history (Buddhism/building phase); geography (environment/location), religion (Buddhism/Islam) and slots into studies of World Heritage sites. This unit touches on historical trade routes (The Silk Road) and provides an opportunity to reflect on the current political insecurity of Afghanistan. Despite widespread objections the Taliban of Afghanistan reduced the Giant Buddhas to rubble. In 2003, two years after their destruction UNESCO listed the caverns which once contained the giant Buddhas as “endangered sites”. So why did the destruction occur? Follow the process and allow opportunity for discussion and debate. The attached worksheet provides opportunity for a fill-in activity.