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These sculptures, in the town of Belur, date back to the 12th century - about the same time as Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the Duomo in Spoleto.

From a distance these temples don't look all that impressive until you get up close and realize that every square inch of the exterior has been intricately and delicately carved.

Soapstone lent itself to this kind of work - relatively easy to carve, but once exposed to air they hardened into a beautifully polished surface.