The Gandharan Empire was in existence during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th centuries, AD, and was located in what is now largely occupied by North West India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The art and sculpture of the region that has come to be known as Gandhara combines Hellenistic or Greco-Roman artistic techniques and modeling with Indian Buddhist iconography to create a recognizably Indian hybrid. By the end of the 1st century these aesthetic traditions had developed into a recognizable Ghandaran style. Sculpture in stone, usually Schist, are considered to predate those made from Stucco although both materials were used from an early date. Gandharan artists were concerned with the naturalistic look in realistic detail. These works were largely destroyed by the Taliban in recent years - this one came out before their terrible regime was ended.