I finally got round to seeing the Afghanistan Crossroads of the Ancient World exhibition at the British Museum, only a few days before it closes (it has been extended until 17th July).
The design of the show was beautiful - exhilarating backdrop photographs of mountains; twanging music; darkened galleries with the glint of gold and the blue of lapis lazuli.
Several archaeological sites were featured, all of them enigmatic and unknown (unknown to me - it never occurred to me that Afghanistan contained such treasures).
Ai Khanum: Corinthian capitals (actual full-size examples); Grecian-style statue; fabulous disc plaque of the goddess Cybele in a chariot drawn by lions and guided by a winged Nike.
Begram: romantic discovery of rooms filled with treasure; ivory carvings; lovely fish-shaped glass vases.
Tillya Tepe: creation of a mysterious nomadic group; scintillating gold crown; fascinating exhibits from Tomb IV.
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