Monday, November 10, 2008

Afghanistan Exhibit at Asian Art Museum


Over the weekend I went with Mitch's anthropology class to see the Afghanistan exhibit at the Asian Art Museum. It was a very cool experience getting a chance to look at all of the artifacts from Afghanistan, especially since their future is such an unsure one. The artifacts had been taken from the National Museum of Afghanistan to avoid being taken or destroyed by the Taliban after the Soviet invasion and were secretly hidden in the vaults of the Central Bank within the presidential palace in Kabul. Now many of the "highlights" are on display from three different sites Ai Khanum, Begram, and Tillya Tepe. I especially like the artifacts from Tillya Tepe which means "hill of gold." The artifacts in this room are all of an unbelievably beautiful gold that is a deep, rich color and is often inlaid with turqoise. There were headress ornaments, decorations for the shrouds of the dead, daggers and sheaths, boot buckles and necklaces, all made of gold. If there is anyone who has not yet been to the Afghanistan exhibit at the Asian Art Museum I highly recommend it; the exhibit will be there until January 25th.

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