Discovery of a historical site near Balkh
27 July 2006
Authorities declare that a Hellenistic site has been identified near Balkh, in the north of Afghanistan, and that it is about 2,000 years old.
The site, about 25 km from Mazar-e Sharif, at first sight looks like a ruin on a hill. Of what is called an ancient building, only the remains of a mud-brick wall survive. Due to natural causes and war, this building has collapsed and was covered by earth.
Said Reza Hosseini, archaeologist of the Agency for Information and Culture in Balkh, says that this site was identified by smugglers of antiquities. They have made great holes in the ruins.
Mr. Hosseini tells that the site became known before the looters could remove the stone base of a column, which was probably made in the Hellenistic Age.
Mr. Hosseini believes that, except for the column base, many objects of historical value can be discovered. The archaeologist believes that the site has been a fort guarding the entrance of Balkh, and assumes that it is more than 2,000 years old. He infers that the ruins in hill are of the same age.
The archaeologist is greatly worried about the ineffective measures to protect this historical site and stresses that the Afghan government must take precautions to ensure the safety of those working this important site.
[Text Haroon Najafizada; translation Sharona Asghari]