The Red City and the Buddha Cliff: Afghanistan through a pioneer's lens
In short: Before high-definition travel vlogs, a chemical engineer captured the rugged soul of 1960s Afghanistan. His films reveal a landscape of ancient ruins destroyed by Genghis Khan, towering rock-carved Buddhas, and the quiet persistence of nomadic life along the road to Bamyan.
The footage originates from the Watson Kintner Collection, documenting travels by Watson Kintner between 1933 and 1969. A chemical engineer at RCA who pioneered vacuum tube standardization, Kintner spent 36 years filming over 30 countries. His 1965 expedition through Afghanistan provides a rare visual record of the region's architectural heritage and daily rhythms, capturing everything from tribal encampments with camels to the intricate methods of traditional pottery making using kick wheels.
A primary focus of the collection is the Bamyan region, specifically the 'Buddha Cliff.' The film captures the massive stone-carved Buddha, noting specific details like large square holes intended for lamps and deep folds in the rock meant to represent a cloak. Interestingly, Kintner's notes indicate that this cloak was originally intended to be made of clay. The footage also reveals the physical state of these monuments, showing patches of plaster over 'straw' filler on the Buddha’s left foot, which measures at least 30 feet long.
The journey also highlights the scars of history, such as Zohak City (the Red City), which Kintner identifies as being destroyed by Genghis Khan. The film juxtaposes these ruins with living traditions: nomadic life on the road, tea shops under skin canopies at Chardah Falls, and the detailed mosaic work of mosques in Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif. By preserving these specific sites—from the 'rib' work in Buddhist temples to the weavers of the Bad-Ghisi family—Kintner’s archive serves as a vital bridge between 20th-century industrial observation and ancient cultural endurance.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 1965 #32 Afghanistan (1965) Watson Kintner Collection VIDEO
- Also: Afghanistan from the Watson Kintner Collection - Penn Museum
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