Indiana Jones: Myth, Reality And 21st Century Archaeology

The complex of Mes Aynak represents one of the most spectacular archaeological treasures in the world. Situated in Logar Province, Afghanistan, Mes Aynak is South Asia's earliest mining complexes and distribution centers. This 2,600 year old city was also the center of Buddhist monasteries that flourished at around the time of Christ. Today the entire site is in danger of destruction because of pressure to develop this ancient mining site into the most profitable copper mine in a country. Archaeologists have been working on the site for several years, but their efforts have been uneven, often disjunct, and discontinuous. Today's guests, Brent Huffman, a documentary film maker who has visited the site on numerous occasions, and well-known South Asia archaeologist, Dr. Rita Wright, provide new insights into the potential cultural tragedy that may seal the site's fate unless large scale appeals to save the site are championed by concerned diplomats, politicians, and the public at large.