The Italian Archaeological Mission in Afghanistan, for Afghanistan

Redefining cultural – or better, multi-cultural – identity is unquestionably a crucial issue for contemporary Afghanistan. This process, though an important part of the transition to a sustainable future, is neither simple nor straightforward. It requires considerable effort from institutional agencies, but also an inclusive engagement among cultural organizations. Archaeology and art history can play an effective role in promoting collective knowledge and a shared awareness of the past wherein cultural diversities can be perceived in terms of wealth rather than conflict. Although field activity (both excavation and survey) is still constrained by the prevailing security issues in the region, much can be done for the protection, distribution and transmission of collective memories, of which objects and architectural settings from the past represent tangible forms. The restoration of artefacts, hypothetical reconstruction of monuments, and establishment of digital platforms for archiving and sharing data are important steps in this direction, especially when accompanied by support to self-regulated learning in local workplaces.The article summarisees the results of the field work and theoretical analyses carried out by the Italian Archaeological Mission and their contribution to the reconstruction of the cultural history of pre-Islamic and Islamic Afghanistan. It also outlines new research paths and the envisaged strategies to pursue them.