The Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan: The Collection

The Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan * Press and invited guests previewing 5/20/08 * National Gallery of Art * Washington, D.C.
On the morning of May 20th, 2008 I was invited to D.C. to attend the press and invited guest previewing of the Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan - over 228 artifacts that were unearthed in modern Afghanistan - most of which are being viewed for the very first time in the United States. These artifacts highly reflect the important role that Afghanistan played in the Silk Trade route aka the “Silk Road” that connected most parts of Asia with the Mediterranean. During the last 25 years, tremendous amount of war and conflict has plagued this country, from Russia to the Taliban, destroying a good portion of Afghanistan’s historical treasures - these items were originally believed to be destroyed or lost until they were dramatically recovered from a hidden vault under the Presidential Palace in 2004. These were once the remains of the treasures once held in the National Museum at Kabul before it was ransacked and destroyed. Dating from 2200 BC to AD 200, the objects reflects Afghanistan’s rich history, cultural significance, and mosaic of importance in world history. The collections consists of gold bowls from Mesopotamia from Tepe Fullol in Northern Afghanistan, bronze and stone statues from the site of the former Greek city of Ai Khanum; bronzes, ivories, and painted glassware imported from Roman and Indian markets discovered in Begram; and over 100 gold ornaments from among 20,000 pieces known as the “Bactrian Hoard” found in 1978 in Tillya Tepe, the site of six nomadic graves. A National Geographic Video (2 minutes) can be viewed about the collection here: http://luxmedia.vo.llnwd.net/o10/clients/nationalgallery/afghanistan/afghanistan-new.m4v. This collection is highly impressive and worth coming to see, especially in its home city where National Geographic Society resides with the National Gallery of Art. It’s tour in North America is as follows: National Gallery of Art, May 25–September 7, 2008; Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, October 24, 2008–January 25, 2009; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, February 22–May 17, 2009; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, June 23–September 20, 2009. Rating 5 stars out of 5. Viewed 5/20/08.

5/20/08 - Part 2 - Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan, Program Remarks

Tuesday, 20 May 2008 - Part 3
Washington, D.C.

At 9:20 we were brought into the Large Auditorium at the National Gallery of Art to be introduced to those responsible for the Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan becoming present and available to be viewed by the world. It was a fabulous presentation. The following spoke and commented on these phenomenal discoveries: Earl A. Powell III, Director, National Gallery of Art; The Honorable Abdul Karim Khuram, Minister for Information and Culture, Afghanistan; His Excellency Said T. Jawad, Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States; terry D. Garcia, Executive Vice President, National Geographic Mission Programs; The Honorable Bruce Cole, Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities; Elliot F. Gerson, Board Member, National Construction and Logistics; and Fredrik T. Hiebert, Curator and National Geographic Archaeology Fellow.

Terry Garcia, executive vice president for Mission Programs, National Geographic:
“We are delighted to partner with the National Gallery of Art and the National Museum of Afghanistan in bringing these rare and precious items to the United States. Our goal is to introduce this unique collection of objects to a broad audience and raise awareness and understanding about the little-known ancient cultures of modern-day Afghanistan. We also want to tell the heroic story of the Afghans who risked their own safety to hide and protect these treasures.”

His Excellency Said Tayeb Jawad, Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States:
“Afghanistan has always been the heart of Asia. Afghanistan’s centrality in the Silk Road created a rich mosaic of cultures and civilizations. Although this mosaic was shattered by war and terror, both the spirit of the Afghan people and our cultural heritage survived. These priceless artifacts are a testament to the Afghan people and to the heroism of the brave and selfless Afghans who preserved and protected them. This exhibition is a celebration of Afghanistan as much as it is an expression of our appreciation for the global partnership between our ancient nation, the international community, and our friends in the United States.”

Earl A. Powell III, director, National Gallery of Art:
“The National Gallery of Art has a long tradition of bringing works of exceptional quality and merit from other cultures and periods to the United States. We are very pleased to be working closely with National Geographic and the National Museum of Afghanistan, Kabul, to introduce the American public to these archaeological treasures, their history, and their legacy.”

Bruce Cole, chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities:
“The artifacts featured in this collection are more than dazzling exhibition pieces; they serve as primary documents recording the vitality of Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage. The National Endowment for the Humanities is proud to have supported the preservation, cataloging, and exhibition of these treasures as part of our broader ‘Rediscovering Afghanistan’ initiative, and we are delighted to play a part in bringing this collection to citizens across our nation.”

Hamed Wardak, president, NCL:
“National Construction & Logistics is honored to sponsor this historic exhibition of Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul. The emergence of these objects after 25 years of struggle is emblematic of the beauty of Afghanistan and the resilient spirit of its people. This exhibition brings the rich and diverse culture of Afghanistan to the Washington area, and we are proud to help make that possible.”

Fredrik Hiebert, exhibition curator and National Geographic Archaeology Fellow:
“This exhibition is the culmination of many years of work by the Afghans. Without their courage and commitment, these objects would not exist today. Having worked closely with Afghan officials since 2003 on the preservation and inventory of the objects, I am honored to be part of the effort to share these treasures with audiences in the United States and ultimately to enhance the understanding of Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage.”

Audio Download of the Program of Remaks will be available as an MP3 file on the National Gallery of Art’s press Web site nga.gov/press/ by late afternoon, May 20.

Preview Breakfast of the Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan, 5/20/08 - National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, 20 May 2008 - Part 1
Washington, D.C.

I apologize kind gentle readers of Wanderwords.com for my recent absence. I’ve been busy closing down my storefront, concentrating on Archaeology, and moving to a new home causing a lack of internet. I will be finishing up the SAA Adventures in Vancouver, B.C. I was presenting to you formerly, but before finishing that series - give you a special event I’m attending right now - due to the news worthiness of these fabulous finds, and the grand opening to the public this coming Saturday … I present to you a new adventure as a intermission to the Vancouver, B.C.

I’m currently in Washington, D.C. attending the press preview of the Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan beginning on Tuesday morning 5/20/2008.

Upon entering the National Gallery of Art, i was asked for my invitation, given my badge and directed downstairs where they would be hosting the Press Breakfast, Preview, and Tasting at 8:30 am. Concourse style, the joint efforts of the National Geographic Society and the National Gallery of Art had a Afghan-style breakfast Buffet and Music presented to us. Mixing and socializing, I wandered and met various members of the Press - dining with authors from United Press and the Chicago Tribune, Ambassadors from Afghanistan as well as Archaeologists and Curators from Afghanistan who were key members of people who saved these antiquities from destruction and theft during the pillage of war. The food and music was fabulous. Soon we would hear the story and contributions to this dispay. I felt extremely honored to be part of this event.

Washington, D.C.
Extraodinary artifacts uncovered in modern-day Afghanistan - once the heart of the Silk Road linking cultures from Asia to the Mediterranean - long thought stolen or destroyed during some 25 years of conflict until the dramatic announcement of their existence in 2003, begin their United States tour at the National Gallery of Art, Washington - May 25 through September 7, 2008. The exhibition, co-organized by the National Geographic Society and the National Gallery of Art, will travel to the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, October 24, 2008 through January 25, 2009; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, February 22- May 17, 2009; and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, June 23 through September 20, 2009. After its tour through Paris, Turin, and Amsterdam, the show was reorganized for the United States and accompanied by a new catalogue and a video documentary produced by National Geographic and narrated by the celebrated author, Khaled Hosseini. Revealing Afghanistan’s multicultural heritage are some 228 objects ranging in date from 2200 BC to the second century AD. Drawn from four archaeological sites, they belong to the National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul and include fragmentary gold bowls with artistic links to Mesopotamia and Indus valley cultures (modern-day Pakistan) from the Bronze Age site of Tepe Fullol; bronze and stone sculptures and a gilded silver plague from the formere Greek colony at Ai Khanum (”Lady Moon”); bronzes, ivories, and painted glassware that had been imported from Roman Egypt, China, and India; and excavated from ancient storerooms discovered in the 1930s and 1940s in Begram; and more than 100 gold ornaments from the “Bactrian Hoard”, found in 1978 in Tillya Tepe, the site of six nomad graves, and revealing a synthesis of Greek, Roman, Persian, Indian, Chinese, and Siberian styles. The exhibition is organized by the National Geographic Society and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, in association with the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. It is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. At the National Gallery of Art the exhibition is made possible by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation. It is also supported by the Charles Engelhard Foundation. Corporate support is provided by National Construction and Logistics and Hamed Wardak. The works in the exhibition are the sole property of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.