Afghan treasures to be exhibited

November 5, 2019

Voiceover:
Ancient Artefacts of Afghanistan - Glistening Treasures in the Dust is a display of 231 rare artefacts, including gold and glass wares, bronze sculptures and ivory carvings. The collection was unearthed from four famous archaeological sites in Afghanistan. 

National Museum of Afghanistan Director Mohammad Rahimi said because Afghanistan borders many countries including China, these artefacts attest to the role ancient Afghanistan played as the cultural crossroads of the Silk Road, which eventually promoted the exchange and integration of world civilisations.

National Museum of Afghanistan Director Mohammad Rahimi:
Afghanistan has been given the title of the crossroads of the ancient civilisation by different scholars of the world. So we had very good relations with different civilisations in the past so that’s why we can see a lot of influences of different cultures in our objects. 

Voiceover:
Mr Rahimi added that Afghanistan is sharing its exhibit with Hong Kong as a gesture of goodwill and friendship and with the hope of strengthening relations with China. 

National Museum of Afghanistan Director Mohammad Rahimi:
We have also seen different examples of our ancient relations with China. Because of that, we want to build on our relations with China through this exhibition and we have shown that we have had very good connections in the past. 

Voiceover:
Hong Kong Museum of History Curator Joyce Ho explained that many of the exhibits come equipped with interactive designs so that visitors can appreciate and compare and contrast displayed treasures with similar artefacts.

This silver plate with gold designs depicts Cybele, the Great Mother of all Gods in Greek mythology. In front of her is Nike the Greek goddess of victory. It attests to the integration of multicultural elements and styles from Greece and other ancient cultures of Asia Minor. 

This solid gold belt is adorned with nine medallions representing a deity riding on a lion. It is thought to be the Central Asian Kushan goddess Nana or the god of wine in Greek mythology.

The exhibition is co-presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department and the National Museum of Afghanistan.

It will run from November 6 to February 10 at the Museum of History.

Rare artefacts from Afghanistan will be on display at the Museum of History from November 6 until February 10, 2020.

Ancient Artefacts of Afghanistan - Glistening Treasures in the Dust will display 231 artefacts, including gold and glass wares, bronze sculptures and ivory carvings unearthed from four famous archaeological sites in Afghanistan.

Highlight exhibits include a golden bowl with a bearded-bull motif unearthed in Tepe Fullol and pendants with styles that were common in the Mesopotamian and Persian Plateau regions.

The precious relics are on loan from the National Museum of Afghanistan.

The museum’s director Mohammad Rahimi said that because Afghanistan borders many countries including China, the artefacts attest to the role ancient Afghanistan played as the cultural crossroads of the Silk Road.

“Afghanistan has been given the title of the crossroads of the ancient civilisation by different scholars of the world. So we had very good relations with different civilisations in the past so that’s why we can see a lot of influences of different cultures in our objects.”

Mr Rahimi added that Afghanistan is sharing its exhibit with Hong Kong as a gesture of goodwill and friendship and with the hope of strengthening relations with China.

“We have also seen different examples of our ancient relations with China. Because of that, we want to build on our relations with China through this exhibition and we have shown that we have had very good connections in the past.”

Many of the exhibits will be equipped with interactive designs so that visitors can compare and contrast the displayed treasures with similar artefacts.

Click here for details.