With the capture of Kabul on August 15, 2021, the international community is also concerned about the fate that awaits the historical and archaeological heritage of Afghanistan. The greatest dangers today for archaeological sites and objects are their abandonment and the risk of looting.
Afghans working at the Mes Aynak archaeological site in 2010.
Millennia of history can be found in the Greek, Buddhist and Islamic sites that span Afghanistan. A rich heritage in which our Western roots are based as much as those of the East. Since Kabul fell to the Taliban on August 15, 2021, the international community has feared the repercussions this could have on this precious heritage.
For now, no intentional destruction
In 2001, the Taliban had, in fact, proceeded to the dynamiting of the statues of Buddhas of Bamiyan. Since then, the Islamic group seems to have changed its policy and asked its followers last February to monitor and protect Afghan heritage. This seems to be confirmed for the moment in view of the current situation. "There was no intentional destruction, damage or looting" , reports Philippe Marquis, director of the French Archaeological Delegation in Afghanistan, interviewed by La Recherche for an interview freely accessible online.
This year, the delegation carried out an archaeological operation on the citadel of Kabul. But the situation forced them to return to France, the assistant of Philippe Marquis, the last member of the team who remained there, having been repatriated on August 18. The director of the delegation then testifies to the protection approach that was established by the Taliban. Since August 15, they have been monitoring the Kabul National Museum for attempts at looting and degradation. For Philippe Marquis, the question remains whether they will go so far as to put in place a preservation policy and whether it will vary depending on the context. "I fear a radicalization that would have repercussions on heritage", he declares.
Risks of looting and degradation
But according to the archaeologist, the real danger lies in the risk of looting and human and natural degradation, due to the lack of care for archaeological sites. For this, "we can count on the help of local communities", explains Philippe Marquis. The inhabitants of the surrounding villages have, for example, agreed to monitor the Buddhist site of Mes Aynak.
With regard to looting, the delegation is setting up a heritage watch to monitor and trace the sale of artefacts, on site thanks to informants and on the Internet. A surveillance that is done in partnership with the Central Office for the fight against trafficking in cultural property and Interpol. For the moment, Philippe Marquis is not pessimistic for the future of archeology in Afghanistan. According to him, dialogue seems possible with the Taliban on this issue of heritage. The problem is more political:it will be necessary to decide "whether or not we want to work with the Taliban, or with the regime that will be put in place".
By Samantha Dizier