7. The Buddhas of Mes Aynak
Afghanistan’s Mes Aynak, rich with Buddhist statues and ancient monasteries, has lost priceless relics to looting and mining operations, despite years of archaeological excavation. The site, dating from the third to eighth centuries A.D., was once a spiritual hub and economic center in the Gandhara region. Today, conservation efforts aim to protect what remains. (nationalgeographic.com)
