Afganistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul

The Smithsonian National Gallery of Art, in collaboration with the National Geographic Society, is hosting an exhibit from the National Museum of Kabul from May 25 - September 7, 2008. The exhibit is meant to show how northern Afghanistan, Bactria, has developed through time. From its ancient origins over 2,000 years ago as the Oxus Civilization through to Tillya Tepe, the "Hill of Gold". The capital of Bactria, Balkh, was a grand city which Marco Polo describes as:

"a noble city and very large, Formerly it was nobler and larger, it was the most vast and beautiful city in the region... And I tell you that in this city King Alexander the Great took as his wife the daughter of Darius, king of the Persians, according to the people of this city."
--The Description of the World, 1298

Due to it's location Bactria has been influenced by three centers of civilization, India, China and Mesopotamia. This influence can be clearly seen in the artwork produced from the area. The artwork displayed at the Smithsonian range from 2200bc to the second century ad.

The Greeks brought their language and culture into Bactria in the fourth century bc. This is when Alexander the Great and his armies conquered the area. His successor, Seleucius I, founded the Greco-Bactrian city of Ai Khanum, "Lady Moon". The city became the eastern outpost of Greek culture and was able to flourish due to it's location on the Oxus river, a point on established trading routes, including the Silk Road.

Ceremonial Plaque depicting Cybele Ai Khanum, temple with niches), gilded silver, beginning of 3rd century bc.

Mongolian nomads overran Bactria around 145bc. Tillya Tepe became one of the centers for this nomad group. Excavations have shown Tillya Tepe to be a center for burials for the nomadic chieftains. Some pieces found here include:

A golden crown from Tillya Tepe Tomb VI, 1st century ad.

One of a pair of boot buckles depicting a chariot drawn by dragons. Tillya Tepe, Tomb IV, 1st Century ad.

Overall I felt that the exhibit was well organized. The pieces chosen to represent a culture that changed throughout a vast amount of time were well selected. As the visitor I left feeling more informed about an area I had previously had little to no knowledge on, and I wanted to continue to dig for information about the Bactria area.