Afghanistan has a long, complex and very culturally diverse history. The country has repeatedly been a melting pot of different cultures, religions, empires and rulers including the Achaemenids, Seleucids, Mauryan, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu to name but a few influential periods. Traces of which are still evident in the country's traditions, languages, landscape, monuments and artefacts.

For many centuries Afghanistan was located upon the ancient Silk Road, connecting Europe, the Mediterranean, China and India. Many important cult centers arose along the route, bringing much activity and frequent contact with the outside world during that time. This influenced and left traces in Afghanistans' tangible and intangible history and heritage. Afghanistan's recent history has been blighted by invasions, civil war and unrest. Following the removal of the Taliban government in 2001 and the re-introduction of democratic elections, the government of the country has become much more stable. In 2004  the country officially changed its' name to the 'Islamic Republic of Afghanistan' and since then the government has set about improving the economy, healthcare, education, transportation and agriculture. 

Following the upheaval of recent decades, many of these monuments and sites have been damaged and attacked. Afghanistan is now in the process of trying to rehabilitate and restore its national history, to raise awareness about it, and to attract more visitors and investment in learning more about the history and heritage of the country. 

CIE is working with the appropriate Afghan government departments and various local partners to help achieve this aim. We have been working with Afghanistan since 2006 and hope to continue this well-established relationship long into the future. Our main programme and activities with Afghanistan work relate to our core themes of:

Culture and Development,

Heritage Awareness,

Museums and Collections,

Research and Academic Cooperation.