Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures From One of the World’s Richest Countries in Cultural Heritage
Our perceived opinions of this country are usually skewed due to the continuous allegations of the press and what we, as outsiders see when we come in contact with their culture. The treasures of this country that were lost are meant to be of historical significance, not of hate. Enjoy the artifacts, for they share a piece of international history.
Most of what we know of Afghanistan’s countryside is filled with images of war and strife. The pictures of our soldiers dying in a country that years ago used US resources to minister to Afghan mujahideen’s which ultimately helped defeat the Soviet Union’s military occupation of the nation.
Amongst all of the confusion, there was a treasure virtually unknown from the world. The lost treasure represents one of the world’s richest countries in cultural heritage.
The lost Afghanistan treasure dates back to 2200 BC and includes archeological pieces from Rome, China, India, Greece, Egypt, and ancient Afghanistan.
Watch as National Geographic unfolds this unforeseen treasure:
Some of the most significant finds were the famed Bactrian gold pieces. Bactrian gold is a treasure hoard that lay resting under the “Hill of Gold” for over 2,000 years until Soviet archeologists exposed it shortly before the 1979 invasion.
There were well over “20,600 gold ornaments that was found in six burial mounds near Sheberghan, in the northern Afghanistan province of Jowzjan”
The treasure of the royal burial Tillia tepe is accredited to 1st century BCE Sakas in Bactria. A new museum in Kabul is being designed where the Bactrian gold pieces discovered will eventually be kept.
Additional finds included three classical ivory statues, each nearly three feet (90 centimeters) tall, representing historic water goddesses and a collection of Buddhist terra-cotta sculptures.
Gilded silver ceremonial plate.
Gold clasps with turquoise and mother-of-pearl inlay
Kabul Museum
Kabul Museum is the national museum of Afghanistan and at one time its collection was one of the most important in Central Asia; housing over 100,000 items “spanning 50,000 years of Afghan cultural history-prehistoric, classical, Buddhist Hindu, and Islamic.”
In 1994, the museum suffered a devastating loss as it was hit by rocket fire and largely destroyed while being used as a military base. In 1996, over 80% of the inventory within the museum was looted by the Taliban when they took over Kabul. “The remaining materials were at that time temporarily moved to the Kabul Hotel.”
In 2003, the international population invested US$350,000 to refurbish the building. It was re-inaugurated on September 29, 2004.
It will be an exceedingly monumental moment when the Bactrian Gold is settled in the newly constructed museum in Kabul. The pieces will finally have found their way home.
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29 Comments
CHAN LEE PENG, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
Great piece! Good luck and take care!
MC caluya, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
nice… and very informative,, thanks a lot!
valli, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
Well written with excellent information.
Rookie Expert, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
Im packing my bags for Afghanisthan, and if i do find some riches, I’ll sharc ‘em with you guys 
Wonderful find Laurean!
jo oliver, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
Wonderful job, Lauren! I never knew Afghanistan was so rich in treasures. Like you say we are so focused on the bad groups that are in the middle east, that we never stop to think about the people who mean us no harm and their culture that is being destroyed in war. I am glad the museum has been rebuilt and will protect these pieces of history from being destroyed by war.
goodselfme, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
The video and write was a true treasure to me. Thank you for your wonderful composition and pictures. Well done. Thanks to Victor for finding the precious items . Luckily they were rediscovered and returned for all to enjoy.
Chris Stonecipher, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
Lauren,
Gorgeous treasures. I love the ability you have to find the least obvious but extremely interesting pieces of writing.
Wonderful job!
Your friend,
Chris
BC Doan, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
Wonderful article, very educational, and comprehensive..
Bozsi Rose, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
You have done a wonderful job here!
Will Gray, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
What a wonderful article. I had no idea Afghanistan had so many treasues. Beautiful photos and a great work of writing!
Karen N, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
Awesome article, Lauren.
I love all the pictures.
Chris Hamilton, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
It just amazes me how extrodinary the craftsmanship was so long ago. Even without all the technology we have, the people from the past did just as good at making almost everything we do today. Great article and very entertaining so I thought.
Melissa Joyce, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
Great timing! I just finished reading a book that took place in Afghanistan. It’s interesting to see some of their great treasures.
papaleng, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
very educational and an informative article. an eye opener about Afghanistan, thanks for sharing this
Kiki Stamatiou, posted this comment on Sep 26th, 2008
A very impressive piece of film footage. I love the beautiful artifacts. Viewing the treasures of Afghanastan, I could feel the presence of the Afghan ancesters from the period of the treasure, swarming the earth. It’s as if a part of the people from these ancient times survives through the treasures they left behind. I am so very glad they were beautifully and carefully preserved, and made accessible for the people of today to view. Great job.
Take Care,
Kiki Stamatou (Joanna Maharis)
Lost in Arizona, posted this comment on Sep 26th, 2008
Wonderful article. I always loved studying about the Bactrian gold in school. I always wished I could be on one of those finds and discover something as opulent. All I ever found were some animal bones or pottery…lol. Spectacular article Lauren. Take care.
Moses Ingram, posted this comment on Sep 27th, 2008
An absolutely wonderful article
satya4u, posted this comment on Sep 29th, 2008
well displayed,written and beutifully presented.
Joe Bertone, posted this comment on Oct 2nd, 2008
Thanks for broadening my view of an area that I and I’m sure the majority of us see as nothing but a volatile and desolate region of the world which we only associate with war and terrorism. Great piece.
jamie mullen, posted this comment on Dec 5th, 2008
I really love the historical articles
thestickman, posted this comment on Jan 16th, 2009
Well done 
Chris Stonecipher, posted this comment on Jan 16th, 2009
Dugg, shouted and shared on Digg!
eddiego65, posted this comment on Jan 25th, 2009
Awesome work!
Elviera Lee, posted this comment on Feb 11th, 2009
I always wonder about living in another country and Afghanistan is one the place I’m thinking to live. Of course this requires a lot of research about this country but is there any of you actually been there and see what’s like? Just curious. U.S. is a great place but considering our economy is so bad, barely living and no job, I think I’m ready to try something different. Rome, Italy and Spain are the places I’m considering. Has any of you have been in these places? I need a lot of input.
Help.
Patrick Bernauw, posted this comment on Feb 25th, 2009
Wow Lauren, found this one thanks to Digg – it was published before I started for real on Triond… and, well, this is eh… Vintage Axelrod?
thestickman, posted this comment on Feb 25th, 2009
very kewlness! 
Bob, posted this comment on Mar 7th, 2009
Very interesting, excellent images to boot.
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mdegenhardt, posted this comment on Sep 25th, 2008
What an informative read. It offers this reader knowledge and culture and beauty and history. Very well written and it makes me want to see and learn more. Michael