Rare Buddhist treasures unearthed in Gobi Desert

A joint Austrian-Mongolian treasure hunt team has unearthed rare Buddhist treasures, not seen for more than 70 years, in the Gobi Desert. The relics, which include statues, artwork, manuscripts and personal belongings of a famous 19th Century Buddhist master, were buried in the 1930s during Mongolia's Communist purge, when hundreds of monasteries were looted and destroyed. Michael Eisenriegler, leader of the search team, told the BBC World Service they were filled with "the most amazing Buddhist art objects". The expert said: "It is of tremendous value for Mongolian culture because Buddhism was almost extinct in the Communist times, especially in the 1930s. "I'm totally exhausted right now but I'm also totally impressed with what I've seen." The finds will be put on show at the Danzan Ravjaa Museum in Sainshand, 400km (450 miles) south of the Mongolian capital, Ulan Bator. About 20 boxes remain hidden in the desert.