Afghanistan 2008

Excavations and research carried out in the Kabul region over the period of many years by Zafar Païman (founding member) have permitted the dating of 3 Buddhist temples (5th-10th century A.D.) Among the most important of them, Tepe Narenj or Colline des Orangers has revealed 16 monumental statues of Buddha.

The objective of the 2008 project is to restore and to develop this Buddhist monastery. Indeed, this highly endangered and exceptional heritage deserves our expansive investment on the occasion of an annual project for scientific research and for tourist development in conjunction with the UNESCO, the French Embassy in Afghanistan and the Afghan Archaeological Institute of Kabul.

Given the extensive damage to the Afghan heritage and also the unlawful excavations, this project represents an important advance in the revival of Afghan archaeology and research development with regards to Buddhism in Afghanistan, in particular in the Kabul region. This project will increase the public’s awareness concerning the importance of its cultural heritage, the training of Afghan archaeology students, and will draw up the framework for the future development of tourism in the area.

Project objectives:

•    To protect important Buddhist sites.
•    To document objects originating from excavation sites concerning Buddhism in Afghanistan.
•    To encourage Afghans to develop archaeological research to create jobs for communities living in proximity to excavation operations and tourist development sites.

Principal activities:

•    To pursue excavations at Tepe Narenj.
•    To train qualified workers, students and young professionals of the Afghan Archaeological Institute of Kabul.
•    To prevent illegal construction in the vicinity of Buddhist vestiges.
•    To take measures to ensure the security and the conservation of the sites as well as the objects emanating from the excavations.
•    To build and develop an on-site Tepe Narenj museum.