Statue of Buddha found during excavations at Roman city in Egypt.

A team of Polish and American archaeologists carrying out excavations at the Roman city of Berenike on the Red Sea coast of Egypt has uncovered a statue of Buddha at a temple dated to the second century AD, the first time a statue of Buddha has been found at an ancient site west of Afghanistan according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The city of Berenike was a major port at the time, serving as a hub for trade between the Roman Empire and India, and previous finds at the site have included an inscription in Sanskrit from the third century AD and two coins from the Indian Kingdom of Satavahana, which covered most of what is now central India between the second century BC and the third century AD.

A statue of Buddha uncovered in the Roman city of Berenike in Egypt. Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The statue is 71 cm high and depicts Buddha holding part of his robe in his left hand and with a halo around his head with solar rays upon it. Interestingly, Polish archaeologist Mariusz Goyazda, who led the excavation which made the discovery, does not believe that the statue originated in India, instead suggesting that it was made from Anatolia, and was probably carved locally, something which may suggest a community of Buddhists living in Berenike during the second century, which either included craftsmen or was wealthy enough to commission such a statue.

See also...

Follow Sciency Thoughts on Facebook.

Follow Sciency Thoughts on Twitter.