Ancient mysteries revealed in Turkmen desert sands

Over four millennia ago, the fortress town of Gonur-Tepe might have been a rare advanced civilisation before it was buried for centuries under the dust of the Kara Kum desert in remote western Turkmenistan. After being uncovered by Soviet archaeologists in the last century, Gonur-Tepe, once home to thousands of people and the centre of a thriving region, is gradually revealing its mysteries with new artifacts being uncovered on every summer dig.

Afghanistan's heritage is at stake

By Freddie Mcconnell

One of the country's richest archaeological treasures sits on top of vast copper reserves now sold to the Chinese.