In a joint international effort, researchers have unearthed a massive annex to the central temple at the site of Ai-Khanoum in Afghanistan. Dating to the 3rd century BCE, the structure is a prime example of Greco-Bactrian architectural fusion, featuring Corinthian capitals alongside traditional Persian-style podiums. The annex appears to have served as a solar observatory for calculating the equinoxes.
Among the findings were several intact marble statues of Greek deities and a rare sundial calibrated for the specific latitude of the Oxus River valley. This discovery reaffirms Ai-Khanoum's status as a major intellectual and religious hub at the crossroads of the Silk Road during the Hellenistic era.