“Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul”

The image of the Taliban destroying two ancient Buddha statues in Afghanistan in 2001 shocked the world. Fortunately, many other artifacts from the storied country have survived its war-torn history, and some 230 of them are on display this spring at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston as part of “Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul.” Afghanistan’s rich and expansive history as a trade passage connecting China and India with Europe is represented in the form of incised gold vases from the Bronze Age, stone statues of Greek heroes, elaborate Persian and Scythian jewelry and 2,000-year-old gold relics from the Bactrian horde. One of the most interesting aspects of this exhibit is that oftentimes these works managed to survive only because a brave Afghan risked his or her life to protect them. Some of those heroic stories are included in the exhibit. 12:15 to 7 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Through May 17. Audrey Jones Beck Building, 5601 Main. For information, call 713-639-7300 or visit www.mfah.org. Free to $7.

Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: March 1. Continues through May 17, 2009