Treasures of Afghanistan at the British Museum until July 3rd

   Afghanistan - Crossroads of the Ancient World exhibition at the British Museum, Gt Russell St, London, displays over 200 stunning objects ranging from Hellenistic Greek sculptures, enamelled Roman glass and polished stone tableware brought from Egypt, and delicate inlaid gold personal ornaments worn by the nomadic elite. Together they showcase the trading and cultural connections of Afghanistan and how it benefited from being on an important crossroads of the ancient world.

   In addition to the exhibition of objects loaned by the National Museum of Afghanistan, twenty fragments of intricately carved and coloured ivory inlays will be going on public display for the first time since the outbreak of war in Afghanistan in 1979. The ivories from the ancient city of Begram were stolen during the looting of the National Museum of Afghanistan between 1992 and 1994 but were recently identified and salvaged abroad and are now being returned to Afghanistan. They represent about 10% of those looted. These beautiful pieces are among Afghanistan’s most famous collections. They date from the 1st century AD and are the centrepiece of a section highlighting current projects to safeguard and promote cultural heritage in Afghanistan.

Indian ivory furniture support from Begram, 1st century AD

   Also to be returned to Kabul after the exhibition will be a four foot high stone Buddha dating to the 2nd or 3rd Century AD depicting the miracle of Shravasti stolen around 1990.

   The full article with opening times and prices can be seen here.