Ancient site needs saving not destroying

By Brent Huffman, Special for CNN

Updated 0900 GMT (1700 HKT) September 24, 2012

A Buddhist statue overlooks a Chinese government-owned mining compound in Logar province, Afghanistan. Mes Aynak, a 2,600-year-old Buddhist site, could be destroyed in December to create a massive copper mine.
Photos: Photos: Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons
Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons – A Buddhist statue overlooks a Chinese government-owned mining compound in Logar province, Afghanistan. Mes Aynak, a 2,600-year-old Buddhist site, could be destroyed in December to create a massive copper mine.
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Locals from relocated villages near Mes Aynak remove dirt and rocks to expose buried artifacts.
Photos: Photos: Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons
Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons – Locals from relocated villages near Mes Aynak remove dirt and rocks to expose buried artifacts.
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A gold-plated Buddha head found at Mes Aynak. A team of international archaeologists is scrambling to save relics.
Photos: Photos: Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons
Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons – A gold-plated Buddha head found at Mes Aynak. A team of international archaeologists is scrambling to save relics.
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Abdul Qadeer Temore, lead Afghan archaeologist, works on one of the large standing Buddha statues.
Photos: Photos: Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons
Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons – Abdul Qadeer Temore, lead Afghan archaeologist, works on one of the large standing Buddha statues.
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People work at one of the many archaeological excavation sites at Mes Aynak. In 2009, the mining company gave archaeologists three years to excavate the site.
Photos: Photos: Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons
Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons – People work at one of the many archaeological excavation sites at Mes Aynak. In 2009, the mining company gave archaeologists three years to excavate the site.
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French specialist Philippe Marquis, director at DAFA, the French archaeology delegation in Afghanistan, talks with the leader of the local workers at Mes Aynak.
Photos: Photos: Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons
Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons – French specialist Philippe Marquis, director at DAFA, the French archaeology delegation in Afghan