Treasures saved from civil war in Afghanistan

An exhibition of priceless ancient artifacts from the National Museum (of Afghanistan) in Kabul – initially thought lost but now recovered – is on show at the Melbourne Museum.

On view for the first time in Australia, Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum Kabul, features more than 230 precious objects found over the past 70 years in archaeological sites along the ancient Silk Road trade route that crossed Asia.

These treasures were thought to have been lost or destroyed during years of conflict in Afghanistan, but in 2003 were unexpectedly recovered from bank vaults where they had been hidden for safekeeping by museum staff, who feared their nation’s material heritage might be bombed or looted.  These treasures remained safe for 15 years before they were once again revealed to the world, as some of the only remaining artefacts from ancient Afghanistan.

Ranging in date from 2200 BC to the second century AD, the objects are drawn from four major archaeological sites in Afghanistan – the ancient city of Fullol, where gold bowls from the Bronze Age were unearthed; the former Greek city Aï Khanum, founded in the wake of conquests by Alexander the Great; treasures from what is thought to be a merchant’s storeroom in Begram; and lavish gold jewellery and ornaments found in the graves of six nomads in Tillya Tepe. 

Museum Victoria CEO Dr Patrick Greene says the exhibition represents hope for Afghanistan’s future and an

opportunity to build greater understanding in Australia of an ancient country with a troubled modern history.

“The National Museum in Kabul has proudly said a nation stays alive when its culture stays alive, and nothing demonstrates this more than these treasures, connecting us to Afghanistan’s cultural history when so many other artifacts from this time have been destroyed or lost.” 

Archaeologist, explorer, and National Geographic Archaeology Fellow Fredrik Hiebert, who created the new inventory of all rescued items (after the original inventory was lost), and who curated the exhibition, is a renowned Silk Road expert.

Dr Hiebert was present when the treasures’ saviours, known as “the key-holders,” first reopened the vault in which they were secreted.

“The day the first safe was opened after 15 years was one of the most significant days for Afghans and for the world, revealing for the first time what was saved from this important museum,” he says.

“The 30 to 40 people involved in saving the treasures when the museum building was destroyed do not consider themselves heroes: they were just doing their jobs. This noble character of Afghan people – despite civil war and uncertainty – is something I want to tell my children, and as many people as possible, about.  This sort of courage and sense of history and culture makes me very optimistic about the future of Afghanistan.

A Public Lecture series has been developed between the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Museum, some to take place at the University and some at the Museum itself.

www.events.unimelb.edu.au/afghanistan

www.museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/discoverycentre/