Lost Treasures of Afghanistan

Despite the Taliban's efforts to obliterate what remains of Afghanistan's rich cultural past, many individuals are determined to risk it all to save their heritage. This National Geographic Special travels to the war-torn country to witness heroic efforts to recover some priceless treasures and to meet those working to preserve the country's past. The program visits with Afghan archeologist Zemaryalia Tarzi, who is using the writings of a 7th-century monk to locate a 1,000-foot-long Buddha statue buried near the rubble of two similar statues destroyed by the Taliban; reports on the search for a 20,000-piece gold collection known as the Bactrian Hoard (which includes the Aphrodite pin, at right); and learns about the ingenious ways Afghan artists saved their work from being destroyed.

Wednesday, March 30
at 9 p.m.

Goals of the

Association for the Protection of Afghan Archaeology Inc.:

• Assist and participate in the restart of scientific research in Afghanistan through excavations; training of archaeologists in excavation, restoration and preservation; and scholar/student exchanges between Afghan universities and museums and similar international institutions.

• Educate the public on the importance and value of cultural heritage to cultural identity, through presentations to schools and the public.

• Inform and involve the scientific community on results of excavations and scientific research in Afghanistan.

• Continue assisting in excavation campaigns in Kabul and Bamiyan and become involved in new excavation sites.

• Raise funds for equipment, tools and supplies for excavations and restoration and preservation work. Raise funds to establish new labs and provide the Archaeology Institute of Kabul and the museums of Afghanistan with the necessary, most up-to-date technology related to archaeology. Raise funds for new scientific and academic publications and for the translation of existing publications.

• Serve as an adviser to UNESCO and the Afghan government on matters relating to the archeological heritage of Afghanistan.

• Provide thorough training in archaeology, conservation and preservation in Afghanistan.

Lost Treasures of Afghanistan

Q&A with Nadia Tarzi

As the daughter of prominent Afghani archaeologist Zemaryalia Tarzi, Nadia Tarzi always knew the importance of protecting the country's increasingly vulnerable cultural history. In 2002, she founded the Association for the Protection of Afghan Archaeology Inc., a non-profit organization based out of San Francisco that is dedicated to restoring and conserving the country's artifacts, and also educating people about the importance and value of Afghanistan's cultural heritage. Nadia spoke with National Geographic about the APAA, working with her famous father and her emotional first trip to Afghanistan.

Q: What does the Association for the Protection of Afghan Archaeology Inc. do, and what is your role in the association?

A: I am the founder and vice president of APAA Inc., which is based out of San Rafael, Calif. Founded in 2002, the association focuses on the protection of Afghan archaeology.

Q: How do you raise funds for your projects, and what do you use the money for?

A: We raise funds through the kind donations of our patrons and apply for grants and donations of equipment from various organizations. We are in the beginning stages of a fundraising campaign nationally and internationally.

Q: What type of response do you get? Is the world interested?

A: Yes, anyone who is exposed to the information and receives the opportunity to learn about the rich and battered heritage of Afghanistan almost always becomes involved one way or another. We are indeed receiving a lot of support, but we do need more funding.

Q: What is it like to have a world-renowned archaeologist as your father [Zemaryalia Tarzi, who is also the president of APAA] and to be able to work with him?

A: It is the reason I founded APAA in the first place. I came to realize what my father's work actually meant, and only recently, in 2002, did I find a way to participate in his work and follow his footsteps. The situation in Afghanistan is desperate. The country's heritage is unique and my father is the last of his generation of Afghan archaeologists. He and his colleagues have now the opportunity to leave a legacy for future generations. My father is the "dinosaur" of his kind of archaeologists who have hands-on experience of Afghanistan's intricate terrain. All in all, it is a true honor to work with him. He has strong ethics and is very demanding on himself and everyone else who touches Afghan archaeology. I am very proud of him, of his passion and his professionalism.

Q: Describe your first visit to Afghanistan. What did it mean to you?

A: Going to Afghanistan for the first time is still hard to explain. First I am so grateful to National Geographic for including me in the film project and allowing me to come along. As I set foot on the tarmac of Kabul airport I had two very strong emotions that were only the first of a whirlwind of emotions as I discovered my father's and my ancestors' country. First I was delighted and overwhelmed with joy that finally I had arrived. It had been 25 years that I had anticipated that day. Yet, at the same time, I grieved heavily over a loss that would never be replaced. I was too late -- I would never ever see the country as it had been described to me, nor would I meet familiar faces I had learned to know through pictures, such as my grandfather.

That was only the start. The rest of the trip was incredible. Highlights include the road trip to Bamiyan with its breathtaking landscapes, bright blue sky, purple mountain ranges, emerald green valleys and gorgeous rivers. Bamiyan itself is simply magnificent; it is the best place on earth for peaceful, introspective thinking. Finally, being in my family's homes was very emotional; it gave me a feeling of longing.

Q: Will you be going back to Afghanistan soon, and what are your plans for the future?

A: I plan on going back at least twice this year for maybe a month at a time so I can work alongside leading Afghan archaeologists and people from the Ministry of Culture.

Regarding future plans, I hope to expand the translation of scientific work about Afghan's archaeological heritage so that it can reach a wider audience. The association also plans to be involved in the excavation, restoration and conservation of several tons of pottery artifacts found in the ruins of the Kabul Archaeology Institute and in other excavation projects in the Kabul area. We hope to take students to the sites so they can become involved in restoration and conservation work.

I am also interested in working with Afghan orphanages and schools, helping children create art. I hope this creative process will give them a new perception and appreciation of the historical art objects of their country.