Taliban to track, secure 2000-year-old Bactrian gold treasure: Report

The Taliban ministry of data and culture has said they need begun efforts to trace and locate the Bactrian treasure, also referred to as Bactrian Gold, discovered four decades ago within the Tela Tapa area of Sherberghan district, the centre of northern Jawzjan province, consistent with a report. Ahmadullah Wasiq, deputy head of the cultural commission of the Taliban interim cabinet, said they need assigned the relevant departments the task to seek out and check on the Bactrian treasure. “The issue is under investigation, and that we will collect information to understand what the truth is. If it’s been transferred (out of Afghanistan), it’s treason against Afghanistan,” he was quoted as saying by Tolo News. “The government of Afghanistan will take serious actions if this and other ancient items are removed of the country.”

According to National Geographic, the Bactrian treasure consists of thousands of gold pieces from everywhere the traditional world and was found inside six tombs, dating from the primary century BC to the primary century AD. “They contained quite 20,000 objects, including golden rings, coins, weapons, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, weapons, and crowns. additionally to gold, many of those were crafted from precious stones like turquoise, carnelian, and lazuli ,” the magazine said.

Scholars believe the graves belonged to 6 wealthy Asian nomads, five women and one man, consistent with National Geographic. “The 2,000-year-old artifacts found with them exhibit a rare blend of aesthetic influences (from Persian to classical Greek) and therefore the great number of precious objects found surprised the archaeologists, especially the intricate golden crown found within the sixth tomb,” National Geographic said in 2016.

The Bactrian treasure was delivered to the presidential palace by the previous government in February 2021 and was placed on display for public viewing. However, after the collapse of the previous government, concerns were raised over its safety.

Tolo News reported that Wasiq has said any contract that has been signed with the international community over the protection of ancient and historical monuments will remain in situ . Wasiq also said that their assessments show that items of the national museum, the national archive and therefore the national gallery and other historical and ancient monuments are safe in their locations, consistent with Tolo News.

Kabul residents told Tolo News that the Bactrian treasure may be a national asset and will be protected. “Why should they need transferred it? It should remain in our country,” Hashmat said.

Tolo News reported in December 2020 that the Bactrian treasure collection has been displayed in 13 countries within the past 13 years, “bringing in additional than 350 million Afghanis (more than $4.5 million) to the country’s contemporary treasury.”