Afghan Treasures in exile

[Тютчев]

Afghan treasures in exile

Victor Zozulya

In Bonn, exhibits from the ancient history of Afghanistan, representing a unique fusion of Hellenic, Indian, and Babylonian cultures. It is demonstrated here and the famous collection of Bactrian gold. 15 years, seven Afghan scholars "plotters" hiding it from the mujahideen and the Taliban.

"In the premises Kunsthalle presents findings of four archaeological sites," - says the exhibition curator Susanne Bonn Annen. The most impressive part of the collection - the so-called "Bactrian Gold" (Bactria - the historic area between the Hindu Kush and the Pamir region, which also includes the current northern Afghanistan. - "The News"). At the end of the 1970 expedition led by the famous Soviet archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi learned of the seven royal tombs mysterious Kushan (nomads) Tilla-depe 20,000 gold ornaments. It was a worldwide sensation, comparable to the "archaeological feats" Heinrich Schliemann (treasure of King Priam of Troy) and Carter (Treasures of Tutankhamen).

Other parts - finds from excavations at the village of Tepe Fullol (them 4000 years), Greco-Bactrian city of Ai-Khanum and Bagram (artifacts I-II century AD).

"The history of salvation Afghan treasures - this is a new chapter of" The Thousand and One Nights "- says a German art historian Stefan Koldehof. It began in 1987, before the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. The entire collection is then stored in the National Museum, located on the outskirts of Kabul . His staff understand: the Najibullah regime would collapse and the mujahideen did not spare the precious items. As a result, seven Fellows of the museum, including the director, have concluded a secret agreement. artefacts were placed in iron boxes and transferred to a cache located at the presidential palace.

Each of the "magnificent seven" received by individual key. Just gather together, they could open boxes. In case of death of one of the "conspirators" key, bequest, was supposed to be his eldest son. During the Taliban regime in Afghanistan were actually destroyed more than two thousand ancient statues. Critics believed that the treasure was smuggled into the Soviet Union. And none of the seven scientists in those difficult years did not betray the secret.

Return of Afghan treasures happened in 2003. "Conspirators" have decided: it's time to get the collection from its hiding place. At a solemn act invited Victor Sarianidi. Almost all the boxes were opened keys. In one case this was not possible, and had to cut metal with a blowtorch.

Since 2006, the collection travels around the world - the exposition was exhibited in Paris, Amsterdam and Washington. Home, she will not be back soon - in Kabul, there is no suitable premises for the exhibition, not to mention the issues of security.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the opening of the exhibition in Bonn, wrote: "Any one of these jewels would provide a ticket to the West and a comfortable old age to any of those scientists who knew the secret treasures. But none of the exhibits was not gone."

http://www.izvestia.ru/culture/article3143740/