The article discusses the influences in religious and material cultures of Afghanistan. Topics discussed include factors that hinder research of multiple-occupation sites in Afghanistan, the decline of Buddhism, Islamic ruler Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni's raiding expedition to the temple site of Somnath, Buddhist relics at the site of Mes Aynalc, profitable raids conducted by Ghaznavids in northern India and ancient stratigraphy of sites examined for their Islamic remains.