KABUL - Artifacts Unearthed at Ainak Copper Mine Project at Risk: National MuseumMohammad Yahya Mohibzada, the acting chairman of Afghanistan's National Museum on Saturday reported that more than 1,000 historical artifacts have been transferred to the national museum since Ainak Copper Mine, in Logar, started mining the area in 2009. But he said that a number of important relics, including large statues, are still at the mine and are at risk.

Afghanistan - an ancient and historical country - is known as having been the crossroads of beliefs and faiths for hundreds of years.

Over the years, thousands of artifacts have been uncovered from around the country including in mountains and deserts as well in towns and now at the mine. In the Mohammad Agha district in Logar province, archeologists discovered a treasure trove of artifacts dating back to the Islamic period and Kushans Empire.

Officials from the Afghanistan National Museum said however that some large statues discovered in Ainak area are still there as moving them will be a difficult and specialized process.

"More than a thousand artifacts have been transferred to the center. But still there are some big and immovable ancient relics in the area. This is a big issue, but the ministry of information and culture is undertaking serious efforts to transfer them to the national museum," Mohibzada said.

According to Mohibzada, Afghanistan National Museum has so far exhibited Bakhteri period gold treasures in ten countries around the world and the exhibition has generated up to $175 million USD for Afghanistan. The exhibition is currently on in Australia and later it will move to Japan.

"Two hundred and thirty one relics from the Bakhteri period have been put on exhibition in almost ten countries around the world since 2006. Until now up to $175 million USD from these exhibitions has been transferred to government treasury," Mohibzada said.

Meanwhile, it is reported that a Japanese professor has pledged to hand over up to 100 relics belonging to Afghanistan that he bought off the black market.

Sadly Afghan treasures are still being smuggled out of the country. Museum officials stress that government needs to appoint experts at customs – at border posts and airports - to prevent the continued smuggling of the country's history. Different cultures and civilizations have lived in the country during its 5,000 year history. (Tolonews)