Ancient Afghanistan †located at the crossroads of major trade routes, where it attracted invading armies and nomadic migrations †was home to some of the most complex, rich and original civilizations on the continent of Asia.
Opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on June 23, the traveling exhibition “Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul,” celebrates the country’s unique role, as both the recipient of diverse cultural elements and the creator of distinctive styles of art from the Bronze Age into the Kushan period. The presentation, which runs at the Met until September 20, also commemorates the heroic rescue of Afghanistan’s national treasures long thought to have been destroyed.
The exhibition features a rich selection of artworks from four archaeological sites. All works belong to the National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul. Highlights include gold vessels from the Bronze Age Tepe Fullol hoard; superb works and architectural elements from the Hellenistic city of Aï Khanum; sculptural masterpieces in ivory, plaster medallions, bronzes and Roman glass from Begram; and extraordinary turquoise-encrusted gold jewelry and ornaments from the nomadic tombs at Tillya Tepe.
In 1978, archaeologists digging at the ancient site of Tillya Tepe in northern Afghanistan made an unprecedented and unexpected discovery: tombs of ancient nomads that had not been disturbed for 2,000 years. Buried there were a nomadic chieftain and five women wearing sumptuous adornments, such as swords, crowns and clothing covered with tiny gold appliqués. When the country descended into war shortly after the find, the so-called Bactrian Hoard disappeared and was believed to be lost forever. In 2003, the world was stunned to learn that the priceless artifacts had been located intact in a bank vault within the presidential palace in Kabul.
A heroic group of Afghans who have come to be called the “key holders” kept the location of these treasures †along with other masterpieces belonging to the National Museum, Kabul †a secret through 25 tumultuous, war-torn years.
The exhibition is arranged by archaeological site and features new maps and media specially commissioned by the National Geographic Society. The display begins with objects from Tepe Fullol in northern Afghanistan. The second section focuses on Aï Khanum, one of the largest Greek-style cities founded in a region of Asia that had been conquered by Alexander the Great. The excavations at Begram, the third site, yielded works dating from between the First and Second Centuries. Among the contents of two sealed rooms were remarkable luxury goods, including more than 180 Roman glass vessels and spectacular ivories carved in an Indian style.
The fourth section of the exhibition focuses on Tillya Tepe and includes impressive inlaid gold objects found in the six nomadic tombs that were unearthed there. Also included in the exhibition is a 13-minute film, narrated by Afghan American author Khaled Hosseini and produced by National Geographic, which tells of the original discovery and excavation of these collections and their dramatic rediscovery in 2003.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is at 1000 Fifth Avenue. For information, 212-570-3951 or www.metmuseum.org .
