Overview
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sculpture;figure
Find site
Measurement
height 7.2 centimetres, width 6.9 centimetres
Description
Scope and content : Fragment of a stucco figure. The remaining part shows the right shoulder of the Buddha, wearing a pleated robe. The right hand is raised in front of the breast, palm facing outwards in the Abhaya mudr_ (mudra of no-fear). Traces of blue and red paint can still be seen but are much fainted.
Institution
Date
undated
Historical information
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Find site identifier
Aks.
Stein site number
A.016
Find site description
General name for the whole of the debris area stretching north of Yurung-kash and Hanguya including an ancient fort and a temple (Kighillik), east of Khotan. When Stein visited the walls remained 8-15 foot high, which must have enclosed an area of 800 ft in diameter. With a circular rampart made of earth stamped loess measuring 50 ft at base and about 11 ft high. Signs of ancient fields outside. One Wuju Chinese coin but Stein suggests marks on bricks suggest kharosthi builders' marks, dating the site to 3rd-4th century.
Excavation history : The remains of Aksipil were visited in 1891 and 1892 by Dutreuil de Rhins and Grenard (see 'Mission D. de Rhins', iii. pp. 140 sq.), and by the Swedish missionary Högberg (see Hoernle, 'Report of C.-A. ant.', i. pp. xiv. sq.). Stein spent one day carrying out a survey of the site in April 1901.
© British Museum
The British Museum Reproduced by kind permission of the Trustees of the British Museum