Begram (Kapisa) — Kushan Summer Capital North Annex
Achaemenid to Kushan to Hephtalite (500 BCE–500 CE)·Kushan capital of Kapisa founded by Cyrus (?)·🇦🇫 Parwan Province, Afghanistan
About
About Begram (Kapisa) — Kushan Summer Capital North Annex
Begram (Kapisa) — Kushan Summer Capital North Annex in Parwan Province, Afghanistan is a Achaemenid to Kushan to Hephtalite (500 BCE–500 CE) ancient-city attributed to Kushan capital of Kapisa founded by Cyrus (?). Northern annex of Begram with 2 citadels (Burj-i Abdullah and Qala) and bazaar street with Begram ivories. Ghirshman Begram with Begram ivories 1st c CE and Egyptian glass and Chinese lacquer, Kushan winter capital.
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. 500 BCE Achaemenid garrison; Kushan 50 CE
- Period
- Achaemenid to Kushan to Hephtalite (500 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Kushan capital of Kapisa founded by Cyrus (?)
- Purpose
- Northern annex of Begram with 2 citadels (Burj-i Abdullah and Qala) and bazaar street with Begram ivories
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 500 BCE Achaemenid garrison; Kushan 50 CE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Modern excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
34.9900° N · 69.2900° E · 1500 m · 3 mapped features
Begram (Kapisa) — Kushan Summer Capital North Annex — Citadel Mound
citadelCitadel
34.9901° N · 69.2901° EBegram (Kapisa) — Kushan Summer Capital North Annex — Lower Town Street
streetStreet and shops
34.9898° N · 69.2902° EBegram (Kapisa) — Kushan Summer Capital North Annex — Bazaar Axis
bazaarBazaar and ivories deposit
34.9904° N · 69.2898° E