Over 1,400 ancient artifacts discovered at Afghan copper mining site
Artifacts dating back millennia found at Mes Aynak in Logar, as excavation resumes at one of Afghanistan’s largest mineral deposits
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — More than 1,400 ancient artifacts have been unearthed at the Mes Aynak copper mining site in central Afghanistan, as excavation work resumes at one of the country’s most significant mineral reserves.
According to Pajhwok Afghan News, the Ministry of Information and Culture confirmed that 1,430 items were recovered from the area and transferred to the central laboratory for cleaning, initial repairs, identification, and documentation.
The artifacts include a wide range of objects made from clay, stone, metal, glass, bone, and wood. Among the finds are copper coins from the Kushan and Sassanid periods, inscribed fragments, small jars, cups, bowls, bracelets, lamps, beads, and ancient tools.
“These items, some over 5,000 years old, preserve the stories and experiences of earlier civilizations and deepen our understanding of the country’s past,” the ministry said in a statement.
Sayed Zabihullah Sadat, head of the Department of Archaeology, stated that the artifacts were moved from the Mes Aynak field warehouse to the central office for assessment. Once this process is complete, the items will be handed over to the National Museum for long-term preservation and public display.
Mes Aynak, located in Logar province southeast of Kabul, sits atop one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper reserves. On Saturday, officials from the Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC), which holds the mining contract, announced that all outstanding issues had been resolved and that practical extraction work would begin soon.
While the site is rich in mineral resources, it also contains layers of historical significance. Archaeologists and heritage officials have long stressed the importance of conducting thorough excavations before mining operations expand further.
The latest transfer of artifacts signals a renewed effort by Afghan authorities to preserve cultural heritage even as large-scale resource extraction moves forward.
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