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Another Sar-e Sang Lazurite crystal, with the classic deep azure-blue color. Crystal is 4.5 cm wide. Sar-i Sang (or Sar-e Sang) (lit. "stone summit" in Persian) is a settlement in the Kuran Wa Munjan District of Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, famous for its ancient lapis lazuli mines producing the world's finest lapis. [1]
Lapis Lazuli is an international transit route opened in 2018 linking Afghanistan to Turkey via Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia. [1] [2]The name “Lapis Lazuli” is derived from the historic route that Afghanistan's lapis lazuli and other semiprecious stones were exported along, over 2,000 years ago, to the Caucasus, Russia, the Balkans, Europe, and North Africa along the ancient Silk Road.
As early as the 7th millennium BC, lapis lazuli was mined in the Sar-i Sang mines, [2] in Shortugai, and in other mines in Badakhshan province in modern northeast Afghanistan. [3] Lapis lazuli artifacts, dated to 7570 BC, have been found at Bhirrana, which is the oldest site of Indus Valley civilisation. [4]
The lapis lazuli found in Egyptian tombs is thought to come from the Pamir area in Badakhshan province of Afghanistan. [7] About 138 BCE Zhang Qian reached the Fergana Valley northwest of the Pamirs. Ptolemy vaguely describes a trade route through the area. From about 600 CE, Buddhist pilgrims travelled on both sides of the Pamirs to reach ...
Lapis lazuli was being mined in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan as early as 8000 BC. [13] In ancient Egypt , lapis lazuli was a favorite stone for amulets and ornaments such as scarabs and was used in Egypt's pyramids ; [ 14 ] it was also used in ancient Mesopotamia by the Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, Babylonians for seals and at ...
Lily Gabriella's "Memphis Deco Pin," is crafted in 18-carat rose gold and platinum and features a 7.34 carat grey spinel cushion, princess cut pink sapphires and custom cut lapis lazuli (price on ...
[13] [14] Most recent mining activity has focused on lapis lazuli, with the proceeds from the lapis mines being used to fund Northern Alliance troops, and before that, anti-Soviet Mujahideen fighters. [15] Recent geological surveys have indicated the location of other gemstone deposits, in particular rubies and emeralds. [16]
The last U.S. troops left Afghanistan on Aug. 30, 2021. Three years later, the Taliban's return to power has allowed al Qaeda and other terrorist groups to regain a presence in the country, and ...