December 21, 2007—Part of the famed "Bactrian hoard" of treasures, a folding gold crown dating from the first century A.D. is one of the Afghan treasures that will go on display in the United States in 2008, it was announced today.

The crown was discovered in one of six graves of nomads of the ancient state of Bactria at an archaeological site in northern Afghanistan in 1978.

Russian-Greek archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi unearthed the hoard—a crown, necklaces, belts, rings, and headdresses set with precious jewels. The finds were later hidden and eventually thought stolen until the Afghan government found them stashed in boxes in 2003.

The touring exhibition—"Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum"—is organized by the National Geographic Society and the U.S. National Gallery of Art, in cooperation with the National Museum of Afghanistan, Kabul.

(National Geographic News is part of the National Geographic Society.)

The 17-month tour of the U.S. will begin in spring 2008 in Washington, D.C.

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