Pair of Pendants depicting the "Dragon Master"; from Tomb II, Tillya Tepe, Afghanistan. It was the part of Bactrian Gold Hoard (Collection of about 20,600 ornaments, coins and other kinds of artifacts, made of gold, silver, ivory, etc.), that were found in 6 burial mounds erected for five women and one man with extremely rich jewelry, dated (1st Century BC - 1st Century AD).

In 1978, a group of archaeologists (Soviet-Afghan), under leadership of Soviet archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi, who made a discovery in Afghanistan’s north that was to become one of most exciting finds of 20th Century. Digging in an area known as Tillya Tepe, which means “the Hill of Gold”, they unearthed the graves of several high-status nomads who had lived around 2,000 ago. They had been buried with an astounding number of precious objects; in fact, more than 20,000 artefacts were discovered, most of which were crafted from gold and semi-precious stones.

Often referred to as “Bactrian hoard”, it was compared to the discovery of the treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt. The archaeologists discovered jewellery, weapons and ornaments revealing the influence of the many cultures that passed along the Silk Road.

One of the tombs was that of a male nomad, who was buried with weapons, jewellery and ornaments indicating high status as a leader and warrior. The other graves discovered belonged to women. Their costumes varied, which may have indicated that they were from different tribes, but it’s thought more likely that this may have reflected their social status. In all, 6 tombs were excavated, but no further research or excavation was able to be completed in the area. A seventh grave was discovered just before winter fell; it was carefully covered over to be investigated the following year, but in 1979 war broke out in Afghanistan and sadly the archaeologists couldn’t return.

These pieces have much in common with famous Scythian  gold artifacts recovered thousands of kilometers west on the banks of Bosphorus and Chersonese. A high cultural syncretism  pervades findings, however. Hellenistic  cultural and artistic influences can be found in many of the forms and human depictions (from amorini to rings with depiction of Athena and her name inscribed in Greek), attributable to existence of Seleucid empire and  Greco-Bactrian Kingdom in same area until around 140 BC, and continued existence of Indo-Greek Kingdom in northwestern Indian sub-continent until the beginning of our era. The artifacts were also intermixed with items coming from much farther, such as a few  Chinese artifacts (especially Chinese bronze mirrors) as well as a few Indian ones (decorated ivory plates). This seems to be a testimony to richness of cultural influences in the area of Bactria at that time.

Hoard was thought to have been lost at some point in the 1990s, National Museum of Afghanistan having been looted numerous times resulting in a loss of 70% of the 100,000 objects on display. In 2003, however, it was found in secret vaults under the central bank building in Kabul. Since then, National Geographic Society has catalogued the collection, which appears to be complete – 22,000 objects. Also witnessing re-opening were National Geographic Explorer and Archaeology Fellow Fredrik Hiebert and archaeologist who originally found hoard, Viktor Sarianidi.

Following an agreement between Afghan government and France, collection was evaluated and displayed internationally in an exhibition through the cooperation of several prominent museums and National Geographic Society. Objects were on display from 2007-2009, variously at Musée Guimet in Paris, National Gallery of Art in  Washington DC, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Metropolitan Museum of Art in  New York.

(Gold, Turquoise, Garnett, Lapis Lazuli, Carnelian and Pearl (5.2x6.9x1.1cm), length of 2 pendants: (12.1cm); disk diameter: (1.2cm)

National Museum of Afghanistan, Kabul

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