Trafficking in antiquities bleeds Afghanistan of its history but Feeds the Market

Trafficking in antiquities bleeds Afghanistan of its history A programme prepared by Patrick Lovett and Gaëlle Essoo.

At the crossroads of Central Asia, Afghanistan has been home to Zoroastrian, Buddhist and Muslim cultures. Artefacts and relics abound, yet decades of war mean archaeological exploration and preservation have been almost impossible in most parts of the country. Digs are usually the work of scavengers who do so for a meagre living. Through a network of buyers and resellers, the unearthed treasures end up being exported, bleeding the country of its history. Our correspondents report.

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 Posted on You Tube 2 Oct 2019 by FRANCE 24 English

The antiquities that reach the western markets include those from Nimruz, crime capital of a destabilised country. And a bit of caveat emptor is necessary, even dealing with criminals with access to the real goods. The mechanically-voiced journalist tells us about Hadji Khairullah's shop (in the border town of Zaranj presumably, 750 km from Kabul and 900 km from Dubai). But, the story falls a bit flat when we see that his goods "bled from Aghanistan's past" include [1:59] fake (Chinese made most likely) 'Tibetan dzi beads' some non-descript ceramic beads and modern drilled stone beads, all dirtied up and thrown together (perhaps with real ones picked up in the desert), the brass coins in a bowl next to them are fakes. I'd not like to suggest the origin and date of the broken-and-repaired alabaster bowl ('time of Alexander' apparently) or the little head of 'one of the first Islamic kings'.

Hmmm... Ali or Uthman? Or neither?

  Now, I think there is a fragment of this story (and the research behind it) missing. Where, really, is this dealer's stock coming from? Who in the Numruz desert or adjacent regions is turning out fake objects - some of the bronze items shown have crusty patina, dugups or chemically aged? And actually, why if the market is not really all that lively as suggested? Do antiquities play a role in the trade in fuel, depicted in the film? Note the bit about the Taliban clamping down on the drugs trade, leaving the antiquities trade to flourish. Who did you say you bought those antiquities from Mr West End dealer?