Ancient Afghanistan was the crossroads of civilization in Central Asia. Its archaeological treasures date back more than four thousand years and bear the imprint of numerous cultures, attesting to Afghanistan's pivotal importance in the exchange of goods and ideas from Asia to the Mediterranean. Nearly 230 artefacts from the rich mosaic of Afghanistan's cultural heritage are explored in this outstanding book. The extraordinary objects presented here range in date from 2200 BC to AD 200 and are drawn from four different archaeological sites. This lavish volume not only focuses on the cultural significance of the objects but also relays the story of their discovery, excavation, and heroic rescue in modern-day Afghanistan.