An Afghan art lover risked death to smuggle 50 paintings out of the Taleban's destructive hands, writes the BBC's Alan Johnston.

Kabul Museum opens to reveal rich history reduced to rubble, reports Rory McCarthy in the Guardian.

Mohammed Yusef Asefi describes to the Independent how he protected 122 paintings from Taliban destruction by painting out the figures.

Afghanistan Online describes the fine collections once housed in the bombed and looted museum. Includes images of sculpture, figurines and relief carving.

Pictures taken between 1968-71.

A project to help the national museum. Information on the damage and restoration efforts.

There are fears the Taleban may have destroyed a dozen ancient statues displayed in Kabul's National Museum, reports BBC News.