Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Afghanistan

Denmark Returns Ancient Artifacts To Afghanistan

May 18, 2007 -- Some 4,000 ancient archeological artifacts were handed over by Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on May 17.

Dialogue Of Cultures

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May 18, 2007

The artifacts had been seized by Danish border police over the past few years.

Some of the figurines and coins in the collection are more than 2,100 years old. They will be displayed in Afghanistan's National Museum.

(AP)

Saving Afghanistan's Heritage

A UNESCO team working to stabilize Herat minarets in 2003 (UNESCO)

THE MINARETS OF HERAT: In Afghanistan's leafy western city of Herat, a two-lane road slices between the city's five remaining 15th-century minarets. Every truck, car, bus, motorcycle, and horse-drawn carriage that passes by sends vibrations coursing through the delicate structures.
In particular, the Fifth Minaret -- all 55 meters of it -- seems ready to collapse into a dusty heap of bricks and colored tiles at any moment. A large crack near its base makes drivers speed up just a little as they pass by....(more)

Click on the image to view an audio slideshow of this story by RFE/RL correspondent Grant Podelco.

Afghanistan Protects Storied Bactrian Treasure

Archeologist Hunts For Third Bamiyan Buddha

Musicians Struggling To Revive Classical Heritage After Taliban

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