An excellent slide show of arts and monuments from Afghanistan
Art objects inspire many reactions, including both preservation and destruction. From 1979 to late 2001, destruction had the upper hand in Afghanistan. The Soviet-Afghan war, the ensuing civil war and finally the pernicious rule of the Taliban inflicted incalculable losses on active archeological sites and ancient monuments and artworks.
By the time the Taliban were driven from power in November 2001, The National Museum of Afghanistan had lost two-thirds of its collection of 100,000 artworks and artifacts.
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/05/23/arts/0523-AFGHAN_index.html
Ismailimail 