Tillya Tepe

Six burial mounds at Tillya Tepe contain 20,600 artifacts including gold ornaments, silver pieces, ivory objects, coins, and decorative elements from ancient times.

Soviet archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi and an Afghan team excavated the site in 1978, discovering tombs of five women and one man from first century BCE.

Objects found at the site demonstrate connections between Greek, Roman, Chinese, and Indian civilizations through trade routes and artistic influences in Central Asia.

The artifacts from Tillya Tepe generate revenue through international exhibitions, with displays bringing over 4.5 million dollars to Afghanistan by 2020.

The collection disappeared during Afghan wars but resurfaced in 2003 in secret vaults under Kabul's Central Bank, where officials had hidden it for protection.

Location: Jowzjan Province

GPS coordinates: 36.69461,65.78969

Latest update: May 27, 2025 13:30