MUSEUMS COMBINE TO HELP AFGHANISTAN CULTURE

For over three decades of war, Afghan archaeological sites in ancient monuments. Ranging from prehistoric times to the Islamic era have suffered massive destruction and systematic looting. Now both the International Council of museums in association with the British Museum. Is launching a Red List of Antiquities to the thought to be a risk in the country. Both organizations are committed to raising awareness.

“The main problem is the archaeological sites that still been systematically looted and it is very difficult to place, to police all these great areas. and the robbers will come in teams and bands and its that is very difficult. The security that the money is not there to to really have high security so this that the problem remains very great unfortunately.”

The list describes, many objects which protected under Afghan legislation banning the export and sale. Which most likely to be looted and traded illicitly. Experts say, it is not just the stealing a valuable objects but the damage done to historic sites that is most worrying.

“If you see a real views on the site today it is nothing but potholes them a just big holes in the ground everywhere. Now this when the object are found there not to dealt with with care they are broken there, some pieces they make they may just take a head destroy the body. So i it is really very sad and want is do everything we can to try and prevent this. “

The Red List is part of an ongoing campaign to protect historic items. Campaigners say helping the Afghan people to reassemble, what remains at the history and rebuild their past is a first step towards peace.

“If we, defuse this information far and wide, Because the robbers will stop robbin if there is no market. If they cannot sell their goods. If they are stopped at rest and that is one thing but then if they have no market. If their work is not going to pay off. Then they this will be one way it is up into the Red List gets the message out there and do our partners, entrepreneur, customs other police agencies. We really and course said the main partner in this diffusion information is depressed. So the more people know about this problem the more they stop buying suspicious objects, the more we will be able to win.”

Afghanistan’s ambassador to Britain was present at the launch and expressed his thanks to all those involved in the campaign.

“I would like to express, the gratitude of a government have on stones visions in Afghanistan’s people. Thanks a lot for your help.”

Organizers say the Red List is not exhaustive and any antiquity for sale said to be from Afghanistan should be treated with great caution and suspicion.

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