Archaeological Excavations at Khum Zargar in Kapisa Province, North Afghanistan

The site of Khum Zargar is located in the area of Hesa Awal Kohistan town in Kapisa province, north of Afghanistan, and south of the Hindu Kush Mountain range. It is closer to Jabul Saraj textile factory and Golbahar town, 60 km north of the Afghan capital Kabul. Archaeological excavations were carried out in several seasons in 1966, 2019, and 2020 by an independent team of Afghan archaeologists that resulted in the discovery of a Buddhist ritual complex with several stupas and adjacent rooms. In addition, human and animal statues and pottery objects were found in these rooms. Undoubtedly, the findings played an important role in ascertaining the history of Buddhist art and architecture during the Kushan and Kushano-Sasanian periods in the south of the Hindu Kush, and the present article discusses this site and its works.