Afghan archaeology site faces rocky future – Jennifer Glasse (Aljazeera.com – May 20, 2013)

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Ancient ruins of Mes Aynak threatened by planned Chinese mining project.

Mes Aynak, Afghanistan – Ruins dot each hilltop in mountainous Mes Aynak, an hour’s drive south of the capital Kabul. Buddhist monasteries stood here for hundreds of years, and Afghan workers under the supervision of archaeologists are racing to uncover remnants of the past.

The four-square-kilometre site contains the remains of 2,000-year-old villages, but archaeologists say they believe the area has likely been inhabited for 5,000 years. Green-tinged rocks are everywhere: in the ancient walls, jutting out of the ground. That’s because this is one of the most copper-rich spots in the world.

It’s also why archaeologists have a sense of urgency to uncover Mes Aynak. The mining rights to the area have been sold to a Chinese company in a $3bn deal, Afghanistan’s largest commercial contract.

The prospect of mining threatens the ancient site.

“The copper will be extracted from this area. They will blow up these mountains to get to it,” explains Afghan archaeologist Mohammed Rabi Sabiri.

He is helping preserve what is being uncovered here. “It’s clear there is pressure, but we continue to work here. The work you see here should have taken 10 years, but we have done it in four years, and we keep on working.”

Buddhist statues of all sizes have been found in the dozen monasteries, some with astonishing details – one is colourful, still vividly painted on the front and back. Another has its centuries-old gold gilding largely intact.

A selection of statues, pottery and other articles found is on display at the National Museum in Kabul. They are made of wood, clay, copper and gold. Many artefacts remain in storage. There are plans to build another museum in Logar province, close to Mes Aynak, but building has not begun.

At the site itself, life-size clay statues are kept under plastic, protecting them from snow, wind and rain until archaeologists can apply special chemicals to harden the clay so they can be safely moved intact. The monasteries are dotted with ancient stupas, constructed with intricately laid rock. The bases of these Buddhist shrines were likely once home to relics, the painted plaster that once covered them has mostly worn off. Here and there, some clay details remain.

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