Heritage: Oldest Buddhist stele discovered in Tibet

Archaeologists in the Tibet autonomous region believe the ninth century Purang stele (a stone or wooden slab often used for commemorative purposes) is the oldest in the region. Shargan Wangdue, of the Tibet Cultural Relics Protection Institute, said the stele was discovered in Ngari prefecture in the northern part of the region. It is 1.85 meters tall and inscribed with the image of a standing Buddha. On its left side are 24 lines in old Tibetan while on its right side are 19 lines of prayer.