Bangladesh: Shalban Vihara Archaeological Site

Shalban Vihara is a major archaeological site located in Mainamati. Dating back to the 7-8th centuries, it is a well-preserved example of a Paharpur-style Buddhist monastery, constructed during the reign of Bhava Deva, the fourth ruler of the Early Deva Dynasty (took me like five minutes to spell all these names). It was a massive square monastery, each side stretching about 550 feet, with 115 monastic cells wrapping around a courtyard. At its center, a cruciform shrine with six layers of construction, each phase tweaking the design, morphing traditional Buddhist stupas into something closer to Hindu temple flair. The basement walls were decked out with intricately carved terracotta plaques and ornamental bricks. The complex served as a major center for Buddhist learning and practice, housing hundreds of monks. Excavations, ongoing since the 1950s, have uncovered a wealth of artifacts, including seven copper-plate inscriptions, about 350 gold and silver coins, bronze and stone sculptures, and numerous terracotta plaques. It really should be a UNESCO World Heritage Site!