French_Archaeological_Delegation_in_Afghanistan

French Archaeological Delegation in Afghanistan

French Archaeological Delegation in Afghanistan

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The French Archaeological Delegation in Afghanistan (French: La Délégation archéologique française en Afghanistan (DAFA)) was created in France in 1922 at the request of the Afghan government and King Amanullah Khan to commence archaeological studies in Afghanistan. After a break in research during the Second World War, work resumed around 1946-47, until it was closed by the pro-Soviet Afghan government on December 15, 1982. Some notable 20th century French archaeologists who were part of the delegation include Jules Barthoux, Daniel Schlumberger, and Paul Bernard.

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In 2002, in agreement with the Afghan authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to reopen and restart the activities of DAFA in Afghanistan. DAFA's new mission is first of all to develop knowledge of Afghanistan's past, in the framework of French-Afghan archaeological operations. These operations consist of the continuation of the inventory of archaeological remains (prospecting, surveys, etc. ), as well as the conduct of archaeological excavations within the framework of well-defined scientific programs or rescue requirements, which are essentially related to the intensive looting of sites. Philippe Marquis is the current director of the delegation. The archaeological discoveries and finds have contributed to the artifacts located in the National Museum of Afghanistan. They have a base in Mazar-i-Sharif.[1]

DAFA belongs to the network of 27 French research institutes abroad of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Archaeological works

Directors

The following list is of the directors of the French archaeological delegation.

References

  1. [1]
    "History in Stone". Washington Examiner. 2009-03-23. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  2. [2]
    Olivier-Utard, Françoise (2003). Politique et archéologie: histoire de la Délégation Archéologique Française en Afghanistan, 1922 - 1982 (in French) (2. éd., augm. d'une préf. de Jean-Claude Gardin et d'un cahier iconographique ed.). Paris: Éd. Recherche sur les Civilisations. p. 209. ISBN 978-2-86538-285-9.

See also

  • Bernard, Paul: « L'oeuvre de la DAFA en Afghanistan (1922-1982) », CRAI 2002, p. 1287-1323.
  • Olivier-Utard, Françoise: Politique et archéologie : histoire de la Délégation archéologique française en Afghanistan, 1922-1982, 2e édition, préface de Jean-Claude Gardin, Paris, éd. Recherche sur les civilisations, 2003, 423 p. (1re éd., Paris, De Boccard, 1997).
  • Fenet, Annick: Documents d’archéologie militante. La mission Foucher en Afghanistan (1922-1925), Paris, 2010, 695 p. (Mémoires de l’Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres 42).
  • Fenet, Annick: chapter 8 « The original ‘failure’? A century of French archaeology in Afghan Bactria », in R. Mairs (éd.), The Graeco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek world, Routledge, Londres, 2020, p. 142-170.
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