The Taliban are searching for Bactrian treasure dating back 2,000 years, including thousands of gold pieces found inside six tombs, according to The Hindustan Times newspaper.
The Taliban Ministry of Culture and Information said they have begun efforts to locate the Bactrian treasure, discovered four decades ago in the Tela Tapa area, Sherberghan district, Jawzjan province – northern Afghanistan.
Mr. Ahmadullah Wasiq, a senior official of the Taliban cultural committee, announced that relevant agencies have been assigned the task of searching and collecting information about the Bactrian treasure.
“The matter is being investigated. We will collect information to grasp the actual situation. If the Bactrian treasure is taken out of Afghanistan, this will be an act of treason. The Afghan government will take actions Strict action if Bactrian treasure and other antiquities are taken out of the country” – Tolo News quoted Mr. Wasiq as saying.
Mr. Ahmadullah Wasiq. Photo: SBS
According to National Geographic, the Bactrian treasure contains more than 20,000 items, including gold rings, coins, earrings, beads, necklaces, crowns and weapons. In addition to gold, Bactrian treasure also contains many items made from precious stones.
Scholars believe that the six tombs containing Bactrian treasure belonged to six wealthy Asian nomads, including five women and one man.
In February this year, the Bactrian treasure was brought to the Afghan presidential palace and displayed for the public to admire. However, after the Taliban came to power, many people worried about the fate of this treasure.
Previously, in December 2020, Tolo News confirmed that the Bactrian treasure had been displayed in 13 countries over the past 13 years, “bringing a total of more than 4.5 million USD to Afghanistan”.
The Bactrian treasury is said to contain more than 20,000 precious items. Photo: Khaama Press
