RESAF: Resource exploitation and antique mining in Afghanistan

阿富汗的矿石和矿产财富早已为人所知，并从石器时代就开始开采。对青金石以及锡、金和铜等金属给予了特别关注。这些资源的重要性和阿富汗在科学讨论中的作用几十年来一直在等待可靠的证据，因此是高度假设的。目前只有邻近国家的资料得到核实，阿富汗作为早期青铜冶金原料供应国的关键地区的作用仍然是研究中迫切需要的。到目前为止，在准备研究中，可以成功地开始在公元前3 -2千年在panjshiri - valley进行早期银开采，并对Mes Aynak和Farinjal的铜矿床进行首次化学和同位素表征。这项工作还表明，尽管形势困难，仍能取得重要的新成果。拟议项目的目的是扩大和改进关于考古冶金学和采矿的数据库。计划在该国进行实地工作，其主要范围是收集矿石样品，以及对博物馆内的物品进行分析和取样，从喀布尔的国家博物馆开始。将与CEZA Mannheim和DBM波鸿一起对样品进行分析，以详细描述沉积物的特征，并根据其物质组成和文化亲和力对考古发现进行分类。关于史前资源开发和分配网络的新知识应该由此产生，这将使我们能够将阿富汗置于更广泛的背景中。这种分类的一个重要组成部分是将获得的数据引入地理信息系统，通过该系统可以很容易地获取各方面的信息。该地理信息系统部分已经由DAI构建，但仍缺少许多站点的较新的实地工作结果，以及卫星图像（特别是CORONA）的获取和解释。濒危文化遗产的记录和保护是该项目的重要组成部分。采矿不仅被视为技术纪念碑，而且也一直被认为是身份建设的一部分——矿工之间有一种全球特殊的团结。除了武装冲突造成的破坏外，在阿富汗，现代基础设施的改善和措施也使遗产纪念碑面临风险。现代采矿活动不仅危及古代工程，而且也危及配套的定居点和墓地，从Mes Aynak的情况可以清楚地看到这一点。现代研究和文献有助于保护文化遗产。除了我们自己在实地和博物馆的工作外，教育和培训阿富汗同事，特别是年轻的阿富汗同事，对可持续的遗产保护至关重要。为实现这一目标，计划举办联合讲习班、出版物和展览。

The ore and mineral wealth of Afghanistans has long been known and has been exploited since the Stone Age. Special interest was accorded to Lapislazuli, as wel as to the metals tin, gold and copper. The significance of these resources and the role of Afghanistan in the scientific discussion has for decades been waiting for reliable proof and is therefore highly hypothetical. Verified data is available only for neighbouring countries at present and the role of Afghanistan as pivotal area in the raw material provider in early bronze metallurgy has remained an urgent desiderate in research.During preparatory research so far an early silver exploitation of the 3rd-2nd Millennium BC in the Panjshir-Valley and first chemical and isotopic characterisations for the copper depsoits of Mes Aynak and Farinjal could successfully be started. This work also demonstrates, that in spite of the difficult situation important new results can be achieved.The aim of the proposed project is to extend and improve the database on archaeometallurgy and mining. Fieldwork in the country is planned with a main scope of collecting ore samples, as well as the analysis and sampling of objects in the museums, beginning with the national Museum in Kabul. Jointly with the CEZA Mannheim and the DBM Bochum the samples are to be analysed in order to characterise the deposits in detail and to classify the archaeological finds in their material composition and cultural affinity. New knowledge on prehistoric resource exploitation and distribution networks should result from this, which will allow placing Afghanistan in a wider context.An essential component of this classification is the introduction of the gained data into a Geo-Information-System, by which information on various aspects can easily be accessed. Partly this GIS has already been constructed by the DAI, but newer fieldwork results with numerous sites are still missing, as well as the obtaining and interpreting of satellite images (especially CORONA).The documentation and protection of endangered cultural heritage is an important part of the project. Mining is not seen as only a technical monument, but is also always considered in identity building - among miners there is a global special solidarity. Besides the destructions due to armed conflict, in Afghanistan modern improvements and measures for infrastructure put heritage monuments at risk. Modern mining activity not only endangers the ancient works, but also the complementary settlements and cemeteries, as may be clearly observed in the case of Mes Aynak. Modern study and documentation contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage.Besides our own work in the field and in the museums the schooling and training of, especially younger, Afghan colleagues is of fundamental importance for sustainable heritage conservation. Joint workshops, publications and exhibitions are planned in order to achieve this.