French Archaeological Excavations at Haḍḍa (1923-1928) – DAFA Centenary
About this Lecture
Presented on 20-21 September 2022 for the centenary of the DAFA (French Archaeological Delegation in Afghanistan), this lecture by Dr. Alexandra Vanleene retraces the history of the pioneering excavations at Haḍḍa led by Jules Barthoux between 1923 and 1928.
The DAFA, founded in 1922 by Alfred Foucher, marked the beginning of scientific archaeology in Afghanistan. Barthoux's excavations at Haḍḍa were among the institution's first campaigns, revealing to the world the extraordinary richness of Buddhist stucco art from this region.
Historical Context
In 1923, Jules Barthoux began the first systematic excavations of the Buddhist monasteries of Haḍḍa, in the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. Over five years of campaigns, he unearthed hundreds of stucco sculptures of exceptional artistic quality, stūpas, vihāras and chapels. These discoveries transformed the understanding of Gandhāran art and revealed the existence of a distinct modelling school.
Key Topics
- Barthoux's survey: site identification and excavation strategy
- Major discoveries: polychrome stuccos, narrative reliefs, striking portraits
- Documentation: Barthoux's excavation notebooks, photographs and plans
- The fate of collections: between the Musée Guimet in Paris and the National Museum of Kabul
- Scientific legacy: how these excavations founded our knowledge of Haḍḍa art
Sites Excavated by Barthoux in HADB
All sites explored by Barthoux are documented in our database:
- Tapa Kalan – the main site, with the Great Stūpa and decorated chapels
- Tapa-i-Kafariha – rich in stuccos of exceptional quality
- Bagh Gai – decorated vestibules and narrative scenes
- Tapa-e-Shotor – excavated later by Z. Tarzi
- Prates – satellite monastery
- Chakhil-i-Ghoundi – peripheral site
- Deh-i-Ghoundi
- Gar Nao
- Lalma
Explore all objects in the database.