The "Bactrian Aphrodite" brooch was part of the Bactrian collection recovered in April 2004. The gold carving shows Greek, Indian and Asian influences—a product of the Silk Road melting pot of cultures.

An autonomous region 4,000 years ago, Bactria was overtaken by a wave of expansionist empires, including the nomadic Kushan who prevailed at the time these gold treasures were buried. The brooch is featured in the December 2004 issue of National Geographic magazine.

Read the story about the Afghanistan museum treasures.

See today's top stories from National Geographic News.

Photo gallery by Chelsea Lane-Miller