Episode: 1
Broadcast: 11th October
Presenter: Lee Steele

An incredible piece of ancient history is on show in Perth at the moment, and it may make you think differently about a country that we often associate with war and conflict.

• Afghanistan Precious Treasures, some 4,000 years old are on display here at the WA museum, but the story of how they got here – is almost as fascinating as the treasures themselves.
• Every delicate piece tells a story of the ancient world and shows us another side of Afghanistan, lavish gold jewelry found in the graves of six nomads, golden bowels from the bronze age, rare sculptures, ornaments and furniture all traded on the Silk Road all those years ago.
• The only reason that these treasures are here today is that a small group of museum staff in Kabul did everything they could to preserve them. One of the five men who risked their lives to protect these priceless pieces of history from the Taliban tells his incredible story.
• They smuggled the treasures out of the museum and hid them in vaults underneath the presidential palace and that’s where they stayed for the next 25 years.
• The key holders told no one about these treasures but in 2003 the vaults had been opened and the treasures had survived.
• One of the more fascinating pieces found was a solid Gold Crown that was buried alongside a woman, along with several other gold pieces. This indicated her high social status in society which even existed all those years ago.
• The Hidden Treasures exhibition is open at the WA museum in Perth until November 16.

Contact:
http://museum.wa.gov.au/