Monuments Woman

In this 3rd part of the story of Mes Aynak, Laura and George talk about past and present, and the stunning exhibit of artifacts at the National Museum in 2011. But the conversation turns dark as they face the reality of the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.

The story of Mes Aynak continues as George and Laura ask: does Afghanistan have to eliminate a chapter of its history to become less poor? And Laura gets personal and talks about how she avoided becoming a cat lady. 

Laura makes a surreal journey to Mes Aynak, Afghanistan's largest Buddhist archaeological site not far from Kabul. George suggests a motto for Afghanistan's tourism industry. 

A message from the host of Monuments Woman to our Afghan friends and colleagues.

Back in South Carolina, George, our host, asks Laura's daughter what she thought about mom spending so much time in Afghanistan.

Laura and George discuss the competition to design a new national museum in Afghanistan. But will the winner become the loser? 

Laura shows up at the national museum in Kabul. What she finds inside the building moves her and begins a saga to set the stage for building a new museum for the nation.

Laura takes another swipe at the dreaded podcast title before she continues the story of Ghazni and why the work to preserve culture and history mattered.

Laura, in flak jacket and helmet, heads to Ghazni, a city whose rich history is matched by crushing poverty. Two ancient minarets just outside the city become the focus of her attention. Rocket attacks and punishing heat prove challenging, but not insurmountable.

Laura, our archaeologist, arrives in Kabul jet-lagged and without a plan. Her job is to help preserve Afghanistan's vast archaeological and historical treasures. Money is no object. But where do you even start?