Symposium on the Heritage of Afghanistan "If you do not respect the people of your past, how can you respect the people of your present?"- -Dr. Zemaryalai Tarzi (October 15th, 1999, Pasaneda, California) By Flouran Wali Oct.-Dec. 1999 Lemar-Aftaab The Pacific Asia Museum, in conjunction with the International Committee for the Salvation of the Cultural Heritage of Afghanistan (ICSCHA), presented a symposium called "A Prospective Review of the History and Archaeology of Afghanistan from Glory to Plunder" on October 15 and 16 in Pasadena, California. The two day symposium, attended by over fifty people, was part of the ongoing efforts of both organizations to raise awareness about Afghanistan's rich culture as well as the vulnerability of Afghanistan's cultural treasures. It emphasized past and present archaeology and the current destruction of cultural objects and places. The symposium featured internationally recognized scholars who had conducted extensive research or excavations in Afghanistan throughout the latter part of this century. Professor David Bivar from the Society for South Asian Studies, British Academy presented "The Significance of Numismatic Studies for Ancient and Modern Afghanistan" which centered on the history of coinage. Dr. David McDowall, Society of South Asian Studies, British Academy, presented "The Rise of Kushan Empire - Masters of the Silk Road: The Important Numismatic Evidence from Afghanistan." Dr. Zemaryalai Tarzi, professor of Archaeology from the University of Strasbourg, France and former Director General of Afghan Institute of Archeology in Kabul, presented in French "The Buddhist Past of Afghanistan." His lectured focused on the history of the Buddhists and its influence in Afghanistan. Dr. Tarzi has also discussed the findings of his expeditions in the Hadda site near the eastern city of Jelalabad. Dr. William Trousdale, Curator Emeritus, Department of Anthropology, Smithsonian Institutions, who had conducted archaeological serves in the 1970s in the region of Sistan in the province of Nimroz, gave a presentation on "The Islamic Dynasties of Sistan, Afghanistan." Dr. Trousdale's lecture focused on the history, architecture and lives of the many dynasties such as the Saffarid that reigned in the region. Dr. Linda Komaroff, from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, presented "Power and Poetry: Some Thoughts on the Art and Architecture of the Timurid Period (1370 -1507)." Dr. Komaroff's paper considered examples of Timurid visual culture from the master manuscript painter Behzad. She also discussed the lasting influence that the Timurid Period that centered in Herat had on the surrounding regions throughout Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia and India. Dr. Donald Stadtner presented "Shahi Sculpture Revisited." His paper discussed the smuggling and duplication of the Shahi sculptures found in the Kabul and surrounding provinces. Ms. Mehria Rafiq Mustamandy, President of International Committee for the Salvation of the Cultural Heritage of Afghanistan, presented her lecture on "The Demise of Ancient Treasure of Afghanistan". She discussed current status of the destruction and the traffic of artifacts in Afghanistan. Dr. Jonathan Lee, British scholar and author, presented "Afghanistan's Cultural Heritage After Two Decades of War". Dr. Lee's lectured discussed the result of the Afghan-Soviet war and of the current civil war that has created havoc on the monuments and archaeological sites in the western, central and northern provinces of Afghanistan. Dr. Lee also focused on the artwork of the 19th and 20th centuries and concluded that the material culture of Afghanistan has suffered serious and widespread degradation due to pillage, neglect, and, in some cases, incautious but well-meaning attempts at preservation and restoration. He stated that "the future is bleak." Dr. Alef Shah Zadran from the Society for the Preservation of Afghanistan's Cultural lectured on the Mir Zakah site in the province of Pakita and the plunder that has occurred in the site and the possible preservation of those archaeological finds. The current wave of destruction forced the very soul of Afghan cultural property to be sold in Pakistan to the international art market. To safeguard the historical heritage of Afghanistan, the idea of an Afghan museum in Switzerland has been born. This Afghan museum will collect the remaining artifacts and will temporally preserve and display them until the civil war in Afghanistan has stabilized. Once the civil war comes to an end and stability has been insured, they will be transferred back to Afghanistan under the aid and protection of the National UNESCO Commissions of two countries. Afghans in Switzerland should be commended in their joined efforts in construction of the museum. Asef Alemyar, a young Afghan architect trained in Switzerland, has drawn plans for the museum. Along with Alemyar, many other Afghan craftsmen and artists have offered and started work free of charge on the Afghan Museum. Many Afghan businessmen and Afghan leaders inside and outside of Afghanistan have and are supporting this project. Ms. Mehria Rafiq Mustamandy and Mr. David Kamansky are to be highly commended for bringing together distinguished scholars on Afghan archaeology and history and in bringing awareness to the plight of Afghanistan's heritage and culture. If these measures are not taken and awareness is not shown, what will be left to the future generations of Afghans if all Afghanistan's treasures and traditions are robbed and sold on international markets to foreign countries? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Related Links: The Lost Treasures By Mir Hekmatullah Sadat (Oct-Dec 1997) Ancient Kabul: Two Forgotten Places: Tapa Khazana and Takht-e Shah By Nabi Kohzad translated by Farhad Azad (Jan-March 1998) Ancient Musical Instruments of Afghanistan By Nabi Kohzad translated by Farhad Azad (Oct-Dec 1997) The Hamaam By Daud Saba (Jan-March 1998) Copyright © 1999 Aftaabzad Publications. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated or distributed in any form without permission.