Mes Aynak, Logar Province
Afghanistan

Description of the Site

Mes Aynak is a Bronze Age city on the crossroads of the former Silk Road, 40km outside of Kabul. It is one of the most important archaeological finds in all of Central Asia. A sprawling complex of Buddhist monastaries, stupas, residential areas, and marketplaces, it sits on top of even older remains of ancient mining and trading villages. The site features Chinese, Uighur, Indian, and Persian influences in its architecture, and is a notable example of the convergence of cultures along the Silk Road.

The Threat

– Short-term economic and political interests.
– People who support salvage archaeology at a time when there is no existing timeline regarding planned mining activities, and there is no environmental impact assessment.
– Terrorist groups like the Taliban
– Looters

Efforts to Save Mes Aynak

ARCH convened a conference to discuss a win-win outcome for the Afghan people, and the expert participants came to the conclusion that parts of the site can be saved for future generations, and emphasized that an environmental assessment plan is extremely important to guarantee that the mine does not pollute the waterways and the environment in general on which people depend for their livelihood and health. This Environmental Assessment Plan has as of yet not been produced. The experts also highlighted the invaluable significance of leaving the ancient ruins and findings in their original context as opposed to removing them before a timeline by the mining company has even been developed. Our efforts have included distributing the conference report which you can find on our website, and we have filed a complaint with the World Bank’s Inspection Panel. Read more on our website under “Publications”. We have also produced a film to raise awareness (on our youtube channel) and have kept in touch with the relevant Afghan authorities to bring across our message. We are currently in talks with the Afghan government which has asked us to provide information about possible solutions. We believe one main goal should be to put together an oversight committee involving all stakeholders as well as independent subject matter experts to make sure Mes Aynak is not lost forever and to make sure its potential to function as both a copper mine AND a historic site that is open to visitors, archaeologists, and scientists is fully understood.

Who Should Be Held Accountable

Government of Afghanistan, the Chinese Mining company MCC, the World Bank

Quotes

“They brought in the explosives by truck,”… “Then we carried them on our back or in our arms to the statues, or we tied big bombs to long sticks to carry them to the site.”

“We drilled holes into the statue to plant the dynamite. We didn’t have proper tools. The whole process took 25 days.”

“I regretted it at that time, I regret it now and I will always regret it,” “But I could not resist, I didn’t have a choice because they [The Taliban] would have killed me.”

Mirza Hussain, Resident of Bamiyan City who was forced by the Taliban to assist in the destruction of the Buddhas

Source: “The man who helped blow up the Bamiyan Buddhas”
By Nasir Behzad and Daud Qarizadah, BBC Afghan