KABUL, 24 February 2022, (TON): The United States has imposed restrictions on the import of Afghan archaeological and ethnological material.

The State Department said “curbs on the import of cultural and historical items from Afghanistan were aimed to prevent terrorists from profiting.”

However, media reported that experts had expressed concerns about the unintended consequences of the restrictions. The restrictions are aimed to prevent illicitly trafficked materials from entering the US art market and reduce the incentive for the pillage of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage.

In a statement, the State Department hoped “the move would help combat profit from the sale of the cultural objects by terrorists and criminal outfits. Implemented on an emergency basis, the decree took effect.”

It includes restrictions on bringing ceramics, paintings, glass, ivory, ancient textiles, tiles and wood pieces, among others, into the US.

The unilateral action to impose the emergency import restrictions was being initiated because of circumstances in Afghanistan, the State Department explained.

“Can the State Department act based on a request of a government that no longer exists?” ancient coin collector and advocate Peter Tompa asked in a post on his blog.