Tepe Maranjan — Kabul Stupa Hill
Kushan–Hephtalite (200–500 CE)·Kabul Buddhist (Kushan–Hephthalite transition)·🇦🇫 Kabul Province, Afghanistan
About
About Tepe Maranjan — Kabul Stupa Hill
Tepe Maranjan — Kabul Stupa Hill in Kabul Province, Afghanistan is a Kushan–Hephtalite (200–500 CE) temple-complex attributed to Kabul Buddhist (Kushan–Hephthalite transition). Hilltop stupa near Maranjan Hill with stucco Buddhas and coins of Kidarites. Fussman Tepe Maranjan stupa with Kidara coins 400 CE.
Why it mattersKey Gandharan–Kushan monastery illustrating Buddhist expansion
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Gandhara art evolution
- 02Kushan imperial network
Theories
- 01Monastic economy
- 02Greco-Buddhist fusion
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 300 CE
- Period
- Kushan–Hephtalite (200–500 CE)
- Culture
- Kabul Buddhist (Kushan–Hephthalite transition)
- Purpose
- Hilltop stupa near Maranjan Hill with stucco Buddhas and coins of Kidarites
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 300 CE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Modern excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
34.5000° N · 69.2400° E · 1800 m · 4 mapped features
- Tepe Maranjan — Kabul Stupa Hill — Sanctuary CourtcourtCourt with votive stupas34.5001° N · 69.2401° E
- Tepe Maranjan — Kabul Stupa Hill — Monk CellscellsMonastic cells34.4998° N · 69.2402° E
- Tepe Maranjan — Kabul Stupa Hill — Stupa TerracestupaStupa platform34.5004° N · 69.2398° E
- Tepe Maranjan — Kabul Stupa Hill — Storage MagazinestorageStorage34.4996° N · 69.2399° E
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