Mes Aynak

The word Mes Aynak ({{lang|ps|مس عينک}}) literally means "little source of copper"; mis ({{lang|fa|مس}}) is "copper", while aynak ({{lang|ps|عينک}}) is a diminutive form of ayn ({{lang|ar|عين}}), which means "source".

File:Statue of standing bodhisattva, schist, Mes Aynak, 3rd-6th century CE.165042.jpg

As its name suggests, the presence of copper at Mes Aynak has been known about for some time, while the site's archaeological wealth had been discovered by Russian and Afghan geologists in 1973–1974.[http://www.bgs.ac.uk/afghanminerals/docs/tenders/Aynak/PartI_Aynak_Information_Package.pdf Aynak Information Package], Afghanistan Geological Survey and the British Geological Survey, 2005

Mes Aynak was at the peak of its prosperity between the 5th and 7th centuries AD. Coins of the Alchon Hun rulers Khingila and Mehama were found here, which confirms the Alchon presence in this area around 450-500 CE.{{cite journal |last1=Alram |first1=Michael |title=From the Sasanians to the Huns New Numismatic Evidence from the Hindu Kush |journal=The Numismatic Chronicle |date=2014 |volume=174 |page=274 |jstor=44710198 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44710198}}

A period of slow decline began in the 8th Century, and the settlement was finally abandoned 200 years later.Dalrymple, William (31 May 2013) [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/may/31/mes-aynak-afghanistan-buddhist-treasure Mes Aynak: Afghanistan's Buddhist buried treasure faces destruction] guardian.co.uk

File:Statue of a donator. Polychromed stucco on a clay core. Mes Aynak, 3rd - 6th century CE.jpg

On 17 May 2020, the Taliban attacked a security checkpoint near the Mes Aynak mine. Eight security guards were killed and five others were wounded.{{Cite web|url=https://menafn.com/1100175881/Insurgents-kill-guards-of-Logar-copper-mine|title=Insurgents kill guards of Logar copper mine|date=17 May 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/17/c_139063942.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819224058/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/17/c_139063942.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 August 2020|title=Militants attacks kill 8 Afghan security personnel in Logar province|date=17 May 2020}}

{{See also|Mining in Afghanistan}}

In November 2007, a 30-year lease was granted for the copper mine to the China Metallurgical Group (MCC) for US$3 billion, making it the biggest foreign investment and private business venture in Afghanistan's history.Bailey, Martin (April 2010) [http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Race+to+save+Buddhist+relics+in+former+Bin+Laden+camp/23443 Race to save Buddhist relics in former Bin Laden camp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228082611/http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Race+to+save+Buddhist+relics+in+former+Bin+Laden+camp/23443 |date=28 February 2012 }} theartnewspaper.com{{cite web |url=https://energypost.eu/is-china-really-eyeing-afghanistans-mineral-resources/ |title=Is China really eyeing Afghanistan's mineral resources? |last1=Trakimavicius |first1=Lukas |date=22 March 2021 |publisher=Energy Post|access-date=30 September 2021}} Allegations have persisted that the then-minister of mines obstructed the contracting process and accepted a large bribe to eliminate the other companies involved in the bid.

The Afghan Mining Ministry estimates that the mine holds some six million tons of copper (5.52 million metric tons). The mine is expected to be worth tens of billions of dollars, and to generate jobs and economic activity for the country, but threatens the site's archaeological remains.Vogt, Heidi (14 November 2010) [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/14/chinese-copper-mine-afghanistan-mes-aynak-_n_783315.html Chinese Copper Mine In Afghanistan Threatens 2,600-Year-Old Buddhist Monastery] The Huffington PostHuffman, Brent (17 May 2012)[http://asiasociety.org/blog/asia/are-chinese-miners-destroying-2000-year-old-buddhist-site-afghanistan-images Are Chinese Miners Destroying a 2,000-Year-Old Buddhist Site in Afghanistan?] http://asiasociety.org The site is accessed via a {{convert|15|km|sp=us}} motorable track from the surfaced road between Kabul and Gardez.{{cite web | url=http://www.bgs.ac.uk/afghanminerals/docs/tenders/Aynak/PartI_Aynak_Information_Package.pdf | title=Aynak Information Package Part I Introduction |publisher= Afghanistan Geological Survey and the British Geological Survey |year=2005}} The mining lease holders propose to build a railway to serve the copper mine.{{cite news | url= http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/agreement-signed-for-north-south-corridor.html | title=Agreement signed for north-south corridor | date=23 September 2010 | publisher=Railway Gazette International}}

As of July 2012, MCC has not developed an environmental impact plan, and has remained secretive about feasibility studies, and the plan regarding the opening and closing of the mine, as well as any guarantees contained in the contract.Benard, Dr Cheryl (4 July 2012) [http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/07/04/afghanistan-s-mineral-wealth-could-be-a-bonanza-or-lead-to-disaster.html Afghanistan’s Mineral Wealth Could Be a Bonanza—or Lead to Disaster] thedailybeast.com International experts have warned that the project, and other similar projects in Afghanistan, could be threatened because MCC has not fulfilled promises made to the Afghan government, such as the lack of provision of proper housing for relocated villagers. Other investments that have yet to be fulfilled include a railway, a 400-megawatt power plant and a coal mine.Nissenbaum, Dion (14 June 2012) [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wall-street-journal/afghanistan-mining-wealth-thwarted-by-delays/story-fnay3ubk-1226395155692 Afghanistan mining wealth thwarted by delays] The Australian, theaustralian.com A report by Global Witness, an independent advocacy group that focuses on natural resource exploitation, said there was a "major gap" between the government's promises of transparency and its follow-through.(24 April 2012)[http://www.globalwitness.org/library/future-afghan-mining-sector-threatened-weak-contracts Future of Afghan mining sector threatened by weak contracts]

File:Mes Aynak stupa.jpg.]]

File:Mes Aynak archeologists camp.jpg File:Mes Aynak archeologists.jpg

Archaeologists believe that Mes Aynak is a major historical heritage site. It has been called "one of the most important points along the Silk Road" by French archaeologist, Philippe Marquis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/ancient-treasures-on-shaky-ground-as-chinese-miners-woo-kabul-20101115-17uc8.html|title = Ancient treasures on shaky ground as Chinese miners woo Kabul|date = 15 November 2010}} There are thought to be 19 separate archaeological sites in the valley including two small forts, a citadel, four fortified monasteries, several Buddhist stupas and a Zoroastrian fire temple, as well as ancient copper workings, smelting workshops, a mint, and miners habitations. In addition to the Buddhist monasteries and other structures from the Buddhist era that have already been identified, Mes Aynak also holds the remains of prior civilizations likely going as far back as the 3rd century BC. Historians are particularly excited by the prospect of learning more about the early science of metallurgy and mining by exploring this site. It is known to contain coins, glass, and the tools for making these, going back thousands of years.

All of this historical material is in imminent danger of destruction by the mining endeavor. In response to negative reports in the press comparing the Chinese mining company to those who destroyed the Buddhas of Bamiyan, a plan for minimal archaeological excavation was put in place. This plan still foresees the destruction of the site and everything still buried beneath it, but it does allow for the removal of whatever artifacts can be carried away by a small archaeological team led by DAFA, the French archaeological mission to Afghanistan.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}}

Between May 2010 and July 2011 archaeologists excavated approximately 400 items; more than what the National Museum of Afghanistan housed before the war. The site covers roughly {{convert|400000|m2}}, encompassing several separate monasteries and a commercial area. It appears that Buddhists who began settling the area almost two millennia ago were drawn by the availability of copper.{{Citation | last = Baker | first = Aryn | title = Deciding Between Heritage and Hard Cash in Afghanistan | url= http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2099676,00.html | magazine = Time | access-date = 20 August 2012 | date=17 November 2011}} More recently, a stone statue, or stele, found in 2010 has been identified as a depiction of Prince Siddhartha before he founded Buddhism and has been taken to support the idea that there was an ancient monastic cult dedicated to Siddhartha's pre-enlightenment life.Jarus, Owen (6 June 2012) [http://www.livescience.com/20799-ancient-statue-reveals-prince-buddha.html Ancient Statue Reveals Prince Who Would Become Buddha] livescience.com

In June 2012, a conference of experts in the fields of geology, mining engineering, archaeology, history and economic development met at SAIS in Washington, D.C., to assess the situation in Mes Aynak. The provisional findings were tentatively encouraging: because of the length of time before mining can actually start at the site (approximately five years), it is indeed possible for collaboration between archaeologists and mining engineers to work to save Mes Aynak's cultural treasures. The site could either become a positive model for mineral extraction working to preserve cultural heritage or become an irreparable failure. However, a number of measures, that are not currently in place, must be met first. The site is still scheduled for destruction in January 2013.[http://www.archinternational.org/mes_aynak.html Experts Show How to Preserve Ancient Mes Aynak Ruins While Safely Mining Copper Near Kabul, Afghanistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629011855/http://archinternational.org/mes_aynak.html |date=29 June 2012 }} ARCH International, archinternational.org{{cite news|title=Ancient site needs saving not destroying|last=Huffman|first=Brent|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/22/opinion/afghanistan-buddha-site-mine/index.html|publisher=CNN|date=24 September 2012|access-date=3 November 2012}}

Excavators at Mes Aynak have been denounced as "promoting Buddhism" and threatened by the Taliban and many of the Afghan excavators who are working for purely financial reasons don't feel any connection to the Buddhist artifacts.{{cite journal |last=Bloch |first=Hannah |date=September 2015 |title=Mega Copper Deal in Afghanistan Fuels Rush to Save Ancient Treasures |url=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/mes-aynak/bloch-text |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814062203/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/mes-aynak/bloch-text |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 August 2015 |journal=National Geographic }}

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has provided a million dollars of U.S. military funding to help save the Buddhist ruins.Global Heritage Fund blog article (July 2012) [http://globalheritagefund.org/onthewire/blog/aynak_documentary GHF Supports Buddhas of Aynak Documentary] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726062047/http://globalheritagefund.org/onthewire/blog/aynak_documentary |date=26 July 2012 }} As of June 2013 there is an international team of 67 archaeologists on site, including French, English, Afghans and Tajiks. There are also approximately 550 local labourers, which is set to increase to 650 in the summer. When this occurs Mes Aynak will become "the largest rescue dig anywhere in the world". All these personnel are protected by 200 armed guards. The team are using ground-penetrating radar, georectified photography and aerial 3D images to produce a comprehensive digital map of the ruins.

The rescue work was continuing as of June 2014, in spite of difficulties.{{Cite web|title = Rescuing Mes Aynak|url = http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/mes-aynak/bloch-text|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150814062203/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/mes-aynak/bloch-text|url-status = dead|archive-date = 14 August 2015|access-date = 2015-08-19|first = Hannah|last = Bloch}} There were only 10 international experts working at the site, and fewer than 20 Afghan archaeologists from Kabul's Institute of Archaeology. A team of seven Tajik archaeologists was also helping. Marek Lemiesz, a senior archaeologist at the site, said that more help was needed. Security was also a concern.24 June 2014, [http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/6/24/mes-aynak-savingafghanistansculturaltreasures.html Saving Buddhist statues: Afghanistan’s big dig] america.aljazeera.com

There were also indications that mining plans were being delayed because of the declining copper prices.

On 24 July 2024, the start of the mes aynak mine project was inaugurated with the start of the road to the mine.{{cite web | title=Start of Mes Aynak Mine Project: A Catalyst for Afghanistan’s Economic Growth| url=https://www.alemarahenglish.af/start-of-mes-aynak-mine-project-a-catalyst-for-afghanistans-economic-growth/ | access-date=2024-08-08 | date=2024-07-24 | website=Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan}}{{cite web | title=A New Dawn for Afghanistan’s Mes Aynak Copper Mine?| url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/a-new-dawn-for-afghanistans-mes-aynak-copper-mine/ | access-date=2024-08-08 | date=2024-07-31 | website=The Diplomat}}

File:Mes Aynak temple.JPG|Mes Aynak Stupa

File:Mes Aynak temple overview.JPG|Mes Aynak monastery overview

File:Mes Aynak temple overview 2.JPG|Mes Aynak monastery overview

File:Mes Aynak temple structure.JPG|Mes Aynak monastery structure

File:Mes Aynak north overview.JPG|Mes Aynak north overview

File:Mes Aynak structure 2.JPG|Mes Aynak monastery structure

File:Mes Aynak overview.JPG|Mes Aynak overview

File:Mes Aynak hill top excavation.JPG|Mes Aynak hill top excavation

File:Mes Aynak hill top excavation 2.JPG|Mes Aynak hill top excavation 2

File:Mes Aynak overview East hill.JPG|Mes Aynak overview East hill

File:Mes Aynak hill top excavation workers.JPG|Mes Aynak hill top excavation workers

File:Mes Aynak overview East 2.JPG|Mes Aynak overview East 2

File:Drachm, Vahram IV, Silver, Mes Aynak, 388–399 CE.164975.jpg|Drachm, Vahram IV, Silver, Mes Aynak, 388–399 CE.

File:Home altar, unfired clay, gypsum and wood, Mes Aynak, 4th-6th century CE, 165036.jpg

|Home altar, unfired clay, gypsum and wood, Mes Aynak, 4th-6th century CE

File:Head of a donator, polychromed stucco, Mes Aynak, 3rd-6th century CE, 165092.jpg|Head of a donator, polychromed stucco, Mes Aynak, 3rd-6th century CE

File:King and his warriors, relief, Mes Aynak, 3rd-6th century CE, 164995.jpg|King and his warriors, relief, Mes Aynak, 3rd-6th century CE

File:Statue of bodhisattva Śäkyamuni, Schist. Mes Aynak, 3rd-5th century CE, 165046.jpg|Statue of bodhisattva Śäkyamuni, Schist. Mes Aynak, 3rd-5th century CE

File:Mes Aynak Buddha painting.jpg|Mes Aynak Buddha painting

File:Photography of wall painting.JPG|Photography of wall painting

A documentary titled Saving Mes Aynak,{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1302159--afghanistan-archeological-site-in-a-race-for-survival|title=Afghanistan archeological site in a race for survival|last=Ward|first=Olivia|work=Toronto Star|date=14 December 2012|access-date=2012-12-14}} directed by Brent E. Huffman, tells the story of the archaeological site, as well as the dangerous environment the mine has created for archaeologists, Chinese workers, and local Afghans. The film follows several main characters, including Philippe Marquis, a French archaeologist leading emergency conservation efforts; Abdul Qadeer Temore, an Afghan archaeologist at the Afghan National Institute of Archaeology; Liu Wenming, a manager for the China Metallurgical Group Corporation; and Laura Tedesco, an American archaeologist working for the U.S. State Department.

In July 2014 it was announced that Saving Mes Aynak will be completed by the end of 2014, and is being made with Kartemquin Films.{{Cite news|url=http://kartemquin.com/news/saving-mes-aynak-comes-to-kartemquin|title=Saving Mes Aynak comes to Kartemquin|publisher=Kartemquin Films|date=1 July 2014|access-date=2014-07-07}}

The documentary Saving Mes Aynak premiered at the 2014 IDFA film festival in Amsterdam and in the US at the 2015 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.

In April 2015, Brent E. Huffman announced a plan to raise awareness of Mes Aynak through a #SaveMesAynak Global Screening Day and a fundraising campaign.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/saving-mes-aynak-documentary-campaign-indiegogo-1201480311/|title=Filmmakers Launch 'Saving Mes Aynak' Campaign for Afghan Archaeological Site|publisher=Variety|date=26 April 2015|access-date=2015-04-26}}

In June 2015, the film was offered for free streaming within Afghanistan.{{cite web |url=http://insidepulse.com/2015/06/25/saving-mes-aynak-is-free-to-watch-in-afghanistan/ |title=Saving Mes Aynak is free to watch in Afghanistan |last1=Corey |first1=Joe |date=25 June 2015 |website=Inside Pulse |access-date=2 July 2015 |quote="Kartemquin Films announced today that they will make director Brent E. Huffman’s film Saving Mes Aynak available for free to the people of Afghanistan."}}

• Mundigak — archaeological site in Kandahar Province
• Hadda — archaeological site in Nangarhar Province
• Surkh Kotal — archaeological site in Baghlan Province
• Mehrgarh — archaeological site in Bolan
• Sheri Khan Tarakai — archaeological site in Bannu
• Kharwar District
• Buddhism in Afghanistan

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite journal |last1=Lerner |first1=Judith A. |title=A prolegomenon to the study of pottery stamps from Mes Aynak |journal=Afghanistan |date=2018 |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=239–256 |doi=10.3366/afg.2018.0016|s2cid=194927542 }}

{{Commons category|Mes Aynak}}

• [https://news.cnrs.fr/articles/saving-afghanistans-incredible-heritage A restored Buddha from Mes Aynak]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130621171425/http://www.ghn.globalheritagefund.org/explore.php?id=1338 Mes Aynak] on Global Heritage Network
• [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/opinion/sunday/chinese-led-copper-mining-threatens-afghan-buddhist-monasteries.html Ancient Buddhas, Modern Peril]
• [http://www.savingmesaynak.com/ Saving Mes Aynak] website
• [http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/witness/2015/06/saving-mes-aynak-150630122727625.html Saving Mes Aynak documentary] on Al Jazeera
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150814062203/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/mes-aynak/bloch-text "Rescuing Mes Aynak". Hannah Bloch, photographs by Simon Norfolk. National Geographic]

{{Gandhara}}

{{Central Asian history}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Central Asian Buddhist sites

Category:Archaeological sites in Afghanistan

Category:Buddhism in Afghanistan

Category:Buddhist art

Category:Former populated places in Afghanistan