Partnership for Afghan heritage preservation

Submitted to 11th US/ICOMOS International Symposium: “Developing a comprehensive

approach to US participation in the global heritage community.” May 28-31, Washington, DC.

Authors:
S. Terry Childs, Archeology Program, National Park Service;
Harry B. Iceland, US Department of State Cultural Heritage Center;
Barbara J. Little, Archeology Program, National Park Service;
Francis P. McManamon, Archeology Program, National Park Service

Contact Information:
Terry_Childs@nps.gov; 202-354-2125
IcelandHB@state.gov,
Barbara_Little@nps.gov, 202-354-2130
FP_McManamon@nps.gov 202-354-2123
mailing address: NPS, Dept of the Interior; 1849 C Street, NW (2275); Washington, DC 20240-
0001

During Spring of 2007 and 2008, a training program in archaeological site management was
provided to Provincial Directors of Monuments from Afghanistan. Several National Parks in the
southwestern United States included the trainees in conservation projects and introduced them to
the intricacies of running a national park.

This training project began in response to requests for assistance from the Afghanistan Ministry
of Information, Culture and Tourism. It was co-sponsored by the Department of State Cultural
Heritage Center (CHC) and the National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the George
Wright Society (GWS). After the Ministry identified training participants, the American
Embassy in Kabul assisted with logistics. Other essential participants of the program included
members of the Afghan community in Arizona.

The training covered a broad range of archaeological site management activities, including site
planning, documentation, security, preservation treatment, salvage excavation and emergency
mitigation, site and regional survey, public outreach, and community relations. This presentation
describes the training as an effort in capacity building in archaeological site management and the
development of productive working relationships with US archaeologists, conservators, and
cultural heritage specialists, among others. Also discussed are lessons learned from the trainings
and follow-up activities based on the Afghans' stated needs. The latter includes the
recommendation for more intensive and focused training, which is being provided through the
US/ICOMOS internship program. The potential for expanding this program, or others like it, to
preservation officials from other countries is considered and efforts to establish a clearinghouse
for continued reference are discussed.