Skip to main content

Distributed for Reaktion Books

Ancient Civilizations of Afghanistan

From the Earliest Times to the Mongol Conquest

Featuring numerous original color photographs, an extraordinary visual history of early Afghanistan.
 
Afghanistan, at the meeting place of the Indian subcontinent, Middle East, and Central Asia, holds a key place in the spread of ancient civilizations. Its remarkable cultural heritage includes the Bronze Age Helmand civilization, the Greek kingdom of Bactria, the Kushan Empire, and the Ghaznavid Empire—yet much of its history remains unknown. This beautifully illustrated book unveils Afghanistan’s ancient cities, temples, stupas, monasteries, and other monuments set against breathtaking landscapes, presenting them to a wider audience. Incorporating the latest research and discoveries, it is a captivating journey through Afghanistan’s rich antiquities, brought to life with the author’s vivid, full-color photographs.

336 pages | 50 color plates, 69 halftones | 6.73 x 8.66 | © 2025


Reaktion Books image

View all books from Reaktion Books

Reviews

“In his hallmark lucid style, Ball sets out a magisterial sweep of the cultures that thrived across Afghanistan. He provides a fascinating exposition of how Buddhism and then Islam emerged and merged as a continuum in Afghanistan’s cultural evolution across the centuries.”

Diana Darke, author of “Islamesque: The Forgotten Craftsmen Who Built Europe’s Medieval Monuments” and “The Ottomans: A Cultural Legacy”

Be the first to know

Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!

Sign up here for updates about the Press