Code for the Protection of Antiquities in Afghanistan (1958) Summary definition: national antiquities are defined as all artistic relics and monuments, moveable or immoveable, dating prior to 1748, including all articles of historic or prehistoric value and any natural objects modified by human agency before the above date. Ownership: All antiquities, known or concealed including those in private possession, belong ultimately to the State and are registered on an official inventory. The State maintains the right to expropriate any antiquity for the purposes of care or collection and all rights to replication, photographing and publication of any antiquity. Field research: A permit is required for all field research. Permits are granted for scientific researches only, the conditions of which are enumerated by the law of 1958. All foreign research parties must be accompanied by two representatives of the Department of Antiquities and must carry out their work within a limited time after the granting of the permit. Exportation: All exportation of antiquities, including temporary exportation, is forbidden without a permit. Conditions for obtaining a permit are set by the law of 1958. Only privately-owned, registered antiquities may be sold or exported. The Director-General of Antiquities may deny permission for export of any antiquity and acquire it for the State, paying the owner its declared price. Commerce: Dealers in antiquities must be licensed and must maintain a register of transactions and possessions. Traffic in unregistered antiquities is forbidden. Sale of immoveable antiquities may take place only under auspices of the State. The State maintains rights of pre-emption to any antiquity which undergoes sale. Penalties: Penalties for infractions are administered by the law of 1958, and include fine, imprisonment, and confiscation of all objects involved. Applications for permits to: The Directorate-General of Museums and Preservation of Antiquities in Afghanistan KABUL National archaeological museum: Da Kabul Museum Darul-Aman KABUL |