Sar-i_Sang

Sar-i Sang

Sar-i Sang

Place in Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan

For the village in Iran, see Sar Sang, Iran.

Sar-i Sang (or Sar-e Sang) (lit. "stone summit" in Persian) is a settlement in the Kuran Wa Munjan District of Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, famous for its ancient lapis lazuli mines producing the world's finest lapis.[1] It is located in the Koksha Valley.

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Another Sar-e Sang Lazurite crystal, with the classic deep azure-blue color. Crystal is 4.5 cm wide.

Lapis lazuli mines

The Sar-i Sang lapis lazuli mine probably dates from prehistoric times. It consists of one old disused shaft and two new shafts. This was the main source of lapis lazuli in the ancient world, with lapis from here occurring in such famous archaeological discoveries as the Royal Treasure of Ur and the Tomb of Tutankhamun.[2]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "NGA GeoName Database". National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 2008-06-08. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  2. [2]
    Warwick Ball, 2008, 'The Monuments of Afghanistan: History, Archaeology and Architecture': 261, London.
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