McGrath mentioned about the destruction of statues and other religious items in the 16th and 17th centuries. In Suffolk for example there was the home grown bigot William Dowsing who in Suffolk alone "purged" over 150 churches of stained glass, brasses paintings and other items. The book by Roy Strong - "Lost Treasures of Britain" is a poignant description of what was destroyed for ever. No doubt some time in the future some more tolerant scholar than at present exists will be writing a similar work dealing with Afghanistan. The destruction doesn't really serve any purpose other than a mindless reaction like some spoiled kid who decides to take his ball away so that other kids can't have it.