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Friday, 21st December 2007 (4273 views)

Hundreds of ancient gold treasures from ancient Afghanistan are to go on display in the US for the first time.

The artefacts date back 2,000 years to the time of Bactria, which now covers parts of present day Afghanistan, reports National Geographic.

The objects were originally found by Russian-Greek archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi, who unearthed a selection of gold ornaments spanning from necklaces to rings and headdresses.

However numerous invasions of the country meant that most of the treasures were hidden, only to be discovered again in 2003.

Afghani officials appealed for help from the National Geographic Society to validate the items and then take them on an international exhibition.

Now the exhibit has visited museums across Europe and is set to begin a 17-month tour of the US next year, starting at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

Meanwhile, a collection of gold jewellery from India has been put on display in a Texas museum with the highlight being a gold pendant dating back to the 18th or early 19th century, which is set with rubies, diamonds and emeralds.

 

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