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The Bamiyan Buddhas were two enormous statues carved into the cliffs of Bamiyan in Afghanistan. They stood for centuries until they were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.
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The ancient city of Palmyra in Syria was known for its well-preserved ruins and historical significance. However, the city's monuments, including the Temple of Bel and the Arch of Triumph, suffered extensive damage during the Syrian Civil War.
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The Baalbek Temples in Lebanon were a complex of ancient Roman temples, including the Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Bacchus. While they haven't been completely destroyed, they have suffered damage over time due to earthquakes and conflicts in the region.
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The Old Summer Palace, also known as Yuanmingyuan, was a lavish imperial complex in Beijing, China. It was looted and extensively destroyed by British and French forces during the Second Opium War in 1860.
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The Great Mosque of Samarra in Iraq was famous for its iconic spiral minaret. Unfortunately, the minaret was severely damaged during the Iraq War in 2005 due to a bombing attack.
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While Angkor Wat itself remains intact, the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia caused significant damage to several temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park during the 1970s.
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The Acropolis of Athens, including the Parthenon, has suffered damage over the centuries due to earthquakes and conflicts. While restoration efforts have been ongoing, some of the original structures have been irreversibly lost.
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The Minoan Palace of Knossos on the island of Crete, Greece, experienced destruction due to earthquakes and fires over time. While significant portions have been reconstructed, the original palace layout and details have been altered by various restoration efforts.
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These monuments serve as reminders of the impermanence of human creations in the face of natural disasters and conflicts.