The Future of the Bamiyan Buddha Statues – Evolving Conservation Ethics and Principles concerning Intentionally Destructed Cultural Heritage

Given the emerging dispute about the complexly intertwined issues of heritage reconstruction, conservation ethics and principles for intentionally destroyed cultural heritage has recently become one of the major topics for discussion within heritage studies; there is currently a move to refine theory and practice of heritage reconstruction, in light of intellectual and social developments, which recognize the importance of human rights and interlinkages between evolving disciplines of academia and policy. Whilst studying the case of the demolished Bamiyan Buddha statues and niches with the condition that most surface of the original fragments of the Buddha statues were lost, this volume attempts to provide a reference point for conservation practitioners and policy makers around the world as they consider how to respond to ongoing acts of destruction of cultural heritage properties. To reach this aim, this chapter first introduces how the issue of reconstruction of the Bamiyan Buddha statues arose and addressed. It then clarifies a scientific debate of the evolving thinking on heritage reconstruction issues pertaining to 'authenticity' and an impact to the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage system, with the practical realities of implementing such decisions in a post-conflict setting.