ISLAMABAD: Authorities in northern Afghanistan have confirmed the discovery of two previously unknown archaeological sites in Baghlan’s Jilga District, believed to date back nearly 2,000 years to the Kushan Empire.
The sites, Akh Palakh Shrine and Kafir Qala were identified with the help of local elders, the Cultural Heritage Preservation Department, and Unit 012, before being officially registered by the provincial Directorate of Information and Culture.
“This is part of our national identity, and protecting such monuments is a collective responsibility,” said Mawlavi Asadullah Mustafa Hashimi, the provincial director.
Baghlan has so far documented 114 registered historical sites, with ten more, including these two, set to be added to the national database of the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Background: The Kushan legacy
The Kushan Empire flourished between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE, spanning modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Originating from the Yuezhi confederation, the Kushans built a cosmopolitan empire blending Greek, Persian, Indian, and Chinese influences.
They were pivotal in spreading Buddhism along the Silk Road and in establishing trade links between the Roman Empire and China, making their cultural footprint vital to understanding Central Asia’s role in global history.
Why it matters
The discoveries highlight Afghanistan’s untapped archaeological wealth, much of which remains at risk from conflict, neglect, and looting. Experts say renewed focus on cultural preservation could safeguard the country’s heritage and reconnect Afghans with a shared past that transcends modern political divides.
