Tillya Tepe (Golden Mound). Near Sheberghan, Jawzjan Province.

July 1997
The 2-meter grave shafts held simple wooden coffins standing on wooden legs, held together by iron clamps and nails 7 cm. long. Painted hides covered the coffins. The bodies, draped with gold-spangled shrouds. lay on their backs fully extended; four heads pointed north, two to the west. Each was dressed in layers of fine clothing embroidered with gold spangles. They also wore elaborate jewelry, and sandal soles of gold. Each burial contained from 2,500 to 4,000 pieces of gold, including personal grave goods of silver and gold objects set around the bodies, such as silver mirrors with ivory handles from China and clumps of white powder and lumps of rouge.
Photo: Jonathan Lee

Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: PL-97-52.jpg
Copyright: acku Afghanistan
Image Size: 6435x4238 / 5.5MB; 1997 Afghanistan Jawzjan Sheberghan Tillya Tepe Golden Mound 2 meter Graves Wooden Coffins Iron Clamps Bodies Landscapes Jonathan Lee Slide LD 1997 01979
Contained in galleries: NATIONAL MUSEUM II: CE (Common Era)

July 1997<br />
The 2-meter grave shafts held simple wooden coffins standing on wooden legs, held together by iron clamps and nails 7 cm. long. Painted hides covered the coffins. The bodies, draped with gold-spangled shrouds. lay on their backs fully extended; four heads pointed north, two to the west. Each was dressed in layers of fine clothing embroidered with gold spangles. They also wore elaborate jewelry, and sandal soles of gold. Each burial contained from 2,500 to 4,000 pieces of gold, including personal grave goods of silver and gold objects set around the bodies, such as silver mirrors with ivory handles from China and clumps of white powder and lumps of rouge. <br />
Photo: Jonathan Lee