[JimSEA]

"If there's any mystery surrounding them, it's no doubt partly a product of Western mythology around anything Tibetan and the fact that until recently the Chinese forbade access to the region," says Alex Gardner, a Buddhism specialist at the University of Michigan. "I don’t see how they could be called 'unknown' when they are visible for miles, and the region is crisscrossed with trading routes and now automobile roads."

I am sure this guy irritates you as much as he does me. Arrogant academic twit that he is. Dismissive "experts" like this extinguish the talent and ability of their grad students. Rant over

What is your take on the towers. The shape throws me. The Mongols sweeping through this area some 400 years after the towers were apparently built could account for the lack of any accounts or records.

[Fedora]

> says Alex Gardner, a Buddhism specialist at the University of Michigan

I am sure this guy irritates you as much as he does me. Arrogant academic twit that he is. Dismissive "experts" like this extinguish the talent and ability of their grad students. Rant over

LOL! You mean you don't think being in Michigan gives this guy a special insight into what was happening in Tibet 1,000 years ago? :) I forwarded this article to my monk friend from Tibet; I'll let you know what his reaction is to this guy--as a general rule he has some pretty unflattering opinions on academic Buddhist scholars :)