Regions Of Afghanistan Research Articles

The current situation of health equity in underserved areas of Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, providing universal health coverage (UHC) in accordance with the principles of the UHC declaration is challenging on two fronts: the geographic topography of the country and the prevailing gender dynamics within the local culture. We conducted a desk review of underserved areas in the context of health services by gathering and analyzing existing literature, reports, and data using a combination of keywords and phrases such as: "underserved areas," "healthcare disparities," "access to healthcare," and "health services." The primary data were derived from an analysis of underserved populations conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) Afghanistan's Emergency Program, supplemented by information from in-country partners. In addition to other reports, this review focused on analyzing the geographical availability of primary healthcare (PHC) services by employing the guidelines set forth in the SPHERE framework. It also took into account the social dynamics within the Afghan population that may create barriers to equity in terms of demand and access to PHC services. Although there are a significant number of primary healthcare facilities in operation (4,242), they are unevenly distributed across different regions of Afghanistan, resulting in almost 25% of the population being underserved. The underserved population is nearly equally distributed between genders, with the majority residing in rural communities. Women of childbearing age represent 28% of the underserved population. Children under the age of five represent 16-18% of the underserved population in all regions, except in the western region, where they represent between 12 and 13%. Individuals over 60 years of age represent 1-3% of the underserved population across all regions. More than 50% of the population in the Central Highlands of Afghanistan is underserved, followed by the western and southern regions. Ghor province in the western region has the highest proportion of underserved populations, followed by Zabul province in the southern region. Afghanistan is currently experiencing a protracted humanitarian crisis, with millions of people living in poverty and lacking access to healthcare. This situation exposes them to serious risks such as disease epidemics, starvation, and maternal and child mortality. It is crucial to implement alternative strategies to reach the most affected populations and to increase funding for the delivery of healthcare services in Afghanistan.

Health survey on anxiety, depression, and stress in Afghanistan: A large-scale cross-sectional study amid ongoing challenges

BackgroundOne of the most significant events in recent Afghan history is the rise of the Taliban and the war that followed, which had profound impacts on the lives of Afghans. The present study examined the mental health of Afghans living under the Taliban government.MethodsBetween June 5, 2023 and February 12, 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted among the Afghan population in three key regions of Afghanistan. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21) was utilized to assess depression, anxiety and stress of the Afghan population. Ethical permission for this study was granted by the Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies (ACES). Logistic regression models were employed to explore the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and depression, anxiety, and stress among 2,698 participants.ResultsThe prevalence of depression was 72.05%, anxiety was 71.94%, and stress was 66.49%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that gender (being female), economic status (being poor), residency (living in rural areas), education level (being illiterate), being a cigarette smoker, and having experienced a bad event during the past month were significantly associated with depression, anxiety and stress.ConclusionThe findings of the present study show very high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, most likely reflecting the profound impact of recent political, social, and economic changes. Notably, a significant majority of participants, particularly females and individuals above 35 years of age, reported severe to extremely severe mental health symptoms. The mental health crisis in Afghanistan is a complex and urgent issue that requires a comprehensive and compassionate response.

Uncomplicated appendicitis at Herat Regional Hospital: limited resource is not always the end of the world.

Acute appendicitis is the most common aetiology of acute abdomen in children. Our aim is to describe the accuracy of diagnosis, and complications in a limited resources setting in children between 5 and 14 years old at the only tertiary referral hospital in the West region of Afghanistan. A retrospective study for a period of 1 year (21 March 2015-20 March 2016). Data was collected from patients' files. Data were analysed by epi info 7. We identified 774 children who had appendectomies at Herat Regional Hospital during the study period with complete records available for analysis. The median age was 11 years [5-14]. The rate of positive appendectomy was 87%. 72% of appendectomies were done within 24 h of the onset of symptoms. Of 675 positive appendectomies, the most common clinical features were migratory abdominal pain (90%), nausea/vomiting (80%), RLQ tenderness (90%), and rebound tenderness (81%). Among the 99 negative appendectomies, the most common signs and symptoms were anorexia 68%, nausea/vomiting 59%, RLQ tenderness 79%, and rebound tenderness 43%. 98% of positive and 71% of negative appendectomies had elevated WBC count. Post appendectomy complications occurred in 9% of our patients mostly commonly intra-abdominal abscesses (5%). Although the diagnosis of acute appendicitis is challenging in children and may involve sophisticated imaging techniques, in many settings these are unavailable. Classical manifestations such as migratory abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, nausea, and simple lab tests play a crucial role in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in low resource environments.

Ice cover loss and debris cover evolution in the Afghanistan Hindu Kush Himalaya between 2000 and 2020

ABSTRACT Glaciers in Afghanistan are crucial elements for water resource and summer river flows. They are also threatened by rapid climate warming. This study presents an up-to-date assessment of ice cover loss for the entire country over two periods, 2000–2008 and 2008–2020, using newly developed remote sensing indices that include a more reliable determination of changing debris cover. The results suggest an estimated ice-covered area of 2,684 ± 101 km2 in 2020, that was 75 ± 0.7% clean ice and 25 ± 3.0 percent debris-covered ice. Total ice-covered area retreated by −0.15 ± 0.01 percent yr−1 between 2000 and 2008 and −0.43 ± 0.05 percent yr−1 between 2008 and 2020. Notably, 60 percent of ice cover loss (2000–2020) related to ice cover extents with a size ≤ 2.5 km2, comprising 60 percent of the total ice-covered area in 2000. Higher altitude accumulation zones also exhibited mass loss. However, there was also substantial spatial variation in these rates of loss based on geographical region, glacier size, and climate zones. In the north-eastern regions that are geographically close to or part of the north-west Karakoram ice cover was declining at a substantially lower rate, stable, or even increasing slightly, as compared with the northern and central regions of Afghanistan.

Evaluation of the prevalence of giardiasis and associated factors in Wardak province, center of Afghanistan

Introduction: Giardia intestinalis is a causative agent of gastrointestinal infections worldwide. Contaminated food, feces, drinking water (orofecal route), and factors like economic conditions, culture, and behavioral factors contribute to its transmission. Wardak province is located in the central region of Afghanistan, divided into eight districts, with a population of 656,720. Methods: A total of 274 patients with diarrhea referred to Wardak Hospital were studied, and among them, 17 individuals (10 males (58.8%) and 7 females (41.2%) tested positive for Giardia spp. by microscopy during 2023. In this cross-sectional study, socioeconomic, cultural, and symptomatology information were collected. The association between risk factors and intestinal parasitic infections was analyzed using Chi-Square and Fisher's exact tests with SPSS 26 and GraphPad Prism 8 software at a significance level of P ≤ 0.05. Results: More than half of the patients were under 30 years old. Most cases of the disease were observed in hot seasons (spring and summer). A significant correlation was found between the prevalence of giardiasis and factors such as close contact with animals, the use of unfiltered water, soil contact, and warmer seasons. No significant correlation was observed between economic status and travel history. 85% of patients had watery diarrhea, and 15% had bloody diarrhea. Conclusion: This is the first epidemiological study conducted in Wardak province, central Afghanistan. The findings reveal the prevalence of giardiasis and its interaction with multiple risk factors. This study suggests that giardiasis is an important causative factor for gastrointestinal diseases in the study region.

Afganistan alg türleri kontrol listesi

This first comprehensive checklist of algae from freshwater and soil in Afghanistan is a significant milestone in understanding the country's biodiversity. It is the result of a collaborative effort by researchers from various institutions. It comprises 398 species belonging to 132 genera and five phyla of algae, with samples collected from 19 regions of Afghanistan. The Nitzschia and Navicula genera have the most significant number of species. The checklist also highlights the sensitivity and threatened status of certain species, such as Achnanthidium gracillimum (F. Meister) Lange-Bertalot, Brachysira serians (Brébisson) Round & D.G. Mann, Diploneis ovalis (Hilse) Cleve, Eunotia praerupta Ehrenberg, Eucocconeis flexella (Kützing) F. Meister. The currently accepted name of species, biological condition gradient of species, the status of species in the Red List of Germany, and trophic weight of some diatom species according to two diatom trophic indices were defined in the checklist. This study is a new start for this field of study and intends to provide the groundwork for further research, which will aid in the work of others interested in this topic.

Economic constraints and gendered rules: Understanding women’s perspectives of how government-imposed restrictions impact women’s mental health and social wellbeing across Afghanistan

This paper examines how the mental health and participation in work-related and social activities of women in Afghanistan has been impacted by the socio-political changes that have been enforced since August 2021. The study hypothesizes that women across Afghanistan from diverse sectors, both formal and informal, are negatively affected by the imposed restrictions, and that it impacts their participation in the workforce, their mental health, and their overall living conditions. The analysis within this paper is based on 124 Key Informative Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), which included 33 men and 154 women across six geographic regions of Afghanistan. The findings suggest that within formal and informal job sectors, women have felt a significant disconnect from the market and the community in which they were once thriving, and as a result have experienced worsened living conditions and diminished social status. The paper discusses the significance of women’s participation in the workforce and the positive and meaningful impact women can bring to their communities; highlighting women’s frustration and documenting firsthand accounts of women’s experiences in this new socio-political landscape. It also highlights the new initiatives women are undertaking to continue their work and engage in social activities.

Elucidation of Shoot and Root Growth, Physiological Responses, and Quality Traits of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) Exposed to Elevated Calcium Carbonate Concentrations

The excess presence of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in soil poses challenges for production of horticultural crops, including tomatoes. This condition is prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions of Afghanistan. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of elevated concentrations of CaCO3 on growth, physiology, and quality attributes of tomato. Seedlings were exposed to different concentrations of CaCO3 (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, and 20% w/w) in soil. The results showed that elevated concentrations of CaCO3 (10% and 20%) significantly increased soil electrical conductivity (EC) and pH, and subsequently affected growth, physiology, and quality of tomato. CaCO3 effects resulted in an increase in leaf electrolyte leakage, leaf calcium content, root respiration rate, root ethylene production, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, and organic acids, as well as a decrease in plant height, leaf length, leaf magnesium content, leaf SPAD value, number of leaves per plant, root weight and length, and root activity. At higher concentrations, CaCO3 decreased number of flowers and fruit per plant, as well as fruit weight and diameter, consequently affecting yield production. Although elevated concentrations of CaCO3 is characteristic of soils in Afghanistan, limited information is available about this topic. These findings enhance our understanding of soil conditions in the country and provide valuable insights for farmers.

Phonetic Characteristics and Morphological Features of the Uzbek Dialect in Eshkamesh, Afghanistan

This study aimed to analyze the dialect employed by Uzbek Turks residing in the Eshkamesh district of Takhar province, located in the northeastern region of Afghanistan. The study investigated the phonetics of the Uzbek dialect spoken in the Eshkamesh district of Takhar province, with a particular emphasis on compilations from that area. Research on the dialects of the Turkish language focuses on several aspects such as vocabulary, phonetics, morphology, and the origins of both historical and contemporary dialects. It has the ability to provide perceptive solutions for certain issues pertaining to the subject matter. Consequently, this study holds great significance for the Turkish language. Furthermore, it is an undeniable reality that the dialects employed in this area are slowly vanishing as a result of technical advancements and the impact of established regional languages. Hence, it is crucial to promptly conduct thorough investigation and documentation of the Turkish dialects spoken in Afghanistan using scientific methodologies. The amalgamated sound recordings were transcribed utilizing a collection of symbols devised by the Turkish Language Institution, which accurately represents the phonetic characteristics of the sounds. Subsequently, we conducted an analysis of the phonetics and morphology of the written texts. The study employed the approach of simultaneous grammar.

Impact of insulation on energy consumption and CO2 emissions in high-rise commercial buildings at various climate zones

Abstract This study investigates the impact of insulation on energy consumption and CO2 emissions in high-rise commercial buildings across various climate zones. Through a simulation-based approach using the Hourly Analysis Program (HAP), the effectiveness of insulation in reducing energy demand and carbon emissions are evaluated. The research includes multiple climatic regions of Afghanistan, including arid, semi-arid, and mountainous zones. Methodologically, detailed building characteristics, climatic data, and insulation materials are considered, with energy modeling techniques applied to assess the performance of insulation measures. Results indicate varying degrees of energy savings and CO2 emissions reduction associated with insulation across different climate zones, in cities such as Kabul, Herat, Mazar, and Kandahar. Furthermore, the study calculates CO2 emissions reduction resulting from insulation addition, emphasizing the importance of sustainable building practices in mitigating environmental impacts. By underscoring the scientific value of this research in addressing a pressing global challenge and providing actionable insights for building design and energy policy, this study contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field of sustainable construction and environmental engineering.

Effect of tillage practices and phosphorus doses on the performance of mungbean (Vigna radiata) in semi-arid Kandahar region of Afghanistan

A field experiment was conducted in Kandahar, Afghanistan during summer (June-August) season of 2017 to assess the impact of different tillage practices and phosphorus doses on yield and economics of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.)]. Experiment consisted 12 treatment combinations of 3-tillage practices in main plots, viz., raised bed, zero tillage and conventional tillage and 4-phosphorus doses in sub-plots, viz. 0 (control), 40, 60 and 80 kg P2 O5 / ha. Research findings of the study showed that yield attributes, seed and stover yields, harvest index and economics of mungbean were not significantly influenced by different tillage practices. Application of P resulted significantly higher growth and yield parameters compared to absolute control. Application of 80 kg P2 O5 /ha gave the highest seed yield (0.98 t/ha) and 60 kg P2 O5 /ha gave the highest stover yield (3.92 t/ha). In terms of economics, the highest net returns (58,238 AFN/ha) was recorded with 80 kg P2 O5 /ha, and the B: C ratio was the highest (2.24) with 40 kg P2 O5 /ha.

Seismic Damage Probability Assessment of Existing Reinforced Concrete School Buildings in Afghanistan

Existing Reinforced Concrete School buildings with low earthquake resistance may suffer structural failure or severe damage in a catastrophic seismic event. Ascertaining earthquake resistance in existing school buildings is vital to confirming the safety of students, teachers, and all school members. Reinforced concrete (RC) has been used significantly for numerous years as the primary material due to its easy access and low cost-effectiveness in construction. The current research focused on analyzing the existing RC school buildings designed and constructed in various regions of Afghanistan over the last three decades. Seismic fragility curves, which are generated from incremental dynamic analysis (IDA), have been used to evaluate the damage probability of RC school buildings against earthquake ground motions. In this investigation, 34 RC school buildings were selected from an extensive database and subsequently classified as either A-type or B-type based on specific criteria, including design details and construction year. Following this classification, an assessment of the seismic damage probability for these buildings was conducted using probabilistic models based on IDA curves. The results indicate that A-type school buildings with newer construction are less prone to damage compared to B-type school buildings, showing improved resilience. Especially the B-type buildings in seismic Zone-I are found to be highly vulnerable under the maximum considered earthquake scenarios.

Optimization of Crop Establishment Methods and Phosphorus Fertilizer Levels on Growth and Economic Efficiency of Groundnut under Semi-Arid Region of Afghanistan

An experiment was conducted at the farm of Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar Province, Afghanistan in cropping season of 2020 to investigate the Optimization of Crop Establishment methods and Phosphorus Fertilizer levels on Growth and Economic Efficiency of Groundnut under Semi-arid region of Afghanistan. The experimentation was conducted in split-plot design with 15 treatment combinations and replicated thrice. main-plot consisted of crop establishment methods, viz. ridge and furrow (RF), broad bed and furrow (BBF) and flatbed (FB), while the sub-plots comprised of phosphorus levels, viz. absolute control, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg P2O5/ ha. The results of the investigation revealed that the growth parameters in terms of plant height in and leave area were highest in BBF, followed by FB and minimum was in RF. Adoption of BBF recorded significantly higher gross return (238928 AFN/ha), net return (202728 AFN/ha) and net benefit cost of ratio (5.2) were in Broad Bed and Furrow, followed in ridged and furrow and the minimum was in flat bed method. It can be concluded, cultivating of groundnut with Broad Bed and Furrow with application of 60 kg P2O5/ha was found beneficial for reaching higher productivity and profitability under semi-arid region of Afghanistan.

Effects of Phosphorus Fertilizer Levels on Growth, Yield and Economic Efficiency of Groundnut Under Semi-Arid Regions of Afghanistan

A field experiment was laid out at the Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University (ANASTU) Farm in cropping season of 2020 to investigate optimization of phosphorus doses on growth, yield and economic efficiency of groundnut in semi-arid region of Afghanistan, the experiment laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replication, the treatments consist of 5 phosphorus doses viz. absolute control, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg p2o/ha, the result of the investigation revealed the highest plant height ( 34.42 cm), Branches/plant (10.88), leave area (2260 cm2), pods/plant (40.25), Kernel/pod (2.97), pod yield (3.39 t/ha), haulm yield (6.11 t/ha) and Biological yield (9.50 t/ha) were in phosphorus application at the rate of 60 kg p2o/ha. From the result it should be concluded by the applying optimum level of phosphorus fertilizer groundnut production will increase up to 3.39 t/ha, the farmers should apply phosphorus application at the rate of 60 kg p2o5/ha for enhancing groundnut productivity and profitability

Analysis of Meteorological Drought Changes in Afghanistan Using SPI Index

Meteorological drought, as a natural and significant phenomenon in the field of hydrometeorology, refers to the scarcity of precipitation and moisture in a specific region. This research was conducted with the objectives of understanding the intensity and duration of weather droughts in Afghanistan, categorizing the extent of weather droughts in Afghanistan, and detecting the trend of weather droughts across the country. To investigate the droughts in Afghanistan, daily precipitation data from the Afrodite database version V1101 was utilized, which covered the statistical precipitation records during the period of 1950-2015. Using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) as a measure of drought severity, duration, and frequency, the status of droughts was examined. Based on the analysis, significant trends of droughts were observed in the northern, northeastern, southwestern, and northwestern regions of Afghanistan. Furthermore, the results indicated the occurrence of three periods: wet, normal, and drought, during the study period. The climatic conditions classification during our study period demonstrated that mild moist conditions occurred repeatedly in certain regions of Afghanistan, especially in provinces such as Khost, Paktia, Logar, Kabul, eastern Ghazni, Parwan, Panjshir, Bamyan, Kunduz, southern Takhar, Balkh, Jawzjan, Faryab, Badghis, and northern Herat. On the contrary, severe droughts were more prevalent in the eastern, northeastern, central, and southern regions of Afghanistan. Additionally, mild and moderate droughts were observed in many areas.

Impact of irrigation and nitrogen management on crop performance, yield and economics of sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i>) inKandahar region of Afghanistan

In Afghanistan the information on the performance of sorghum crop to applied nitrogen (N) fertilizer coupled with water management are still scarce. Therefore, a field study was carried out during rainy (kharif) season of 2020 at the research farm of Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University, Kandahar, Afghanistan. Kandahar in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi evaluated the effect of different irrigation scheduling and nitrogen management options on growth, yield and economics of sorghum. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 replications consisting of 3 irrigation schedules in main-plots and 4-N rates in sub-plots. Growth parameters of sorghum, viz. plant height, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate and leaf area index were significantly increased by N120 and N80 compared to N0 plots. Significantly superior yields, viz. seed yield (1546 and 1476 kg/ha), straw yield (5546 and 5467 kg/ha), biological yield (7092 and 6943 kg/ha) and harvest index (21.3 and 21.8%) were observed with N120 and N80 plots, respectively. The N120 and N80 plots remained at par with each other with respect to net B:C ratio (1.87). However, the highest production efficiency (14.7 kg biomass/day) and monetary efficiency (773.90 AFN/day) was obtained with N120 plots. Therefore, the findings of present study suggest that N application @80 kg/ha could be a viable option to attain higher productivity, farm profitability and input-use efficiency irrespective of 2 or 3 irrigations in sorghum in Kandahar region of Afghanistan.

Влияние различных уровней азота на рост и урожайность кукурузы в северном регионе Афганистана

This article discusses the impact of nitrogen fertilizers on the growth, development and yield of corn when grown in the northern region of Afghanistan. The study was conducted in 2020-2022 with the use of urea nitrogen fertilizer (urea) with increasing doses: N0 (control), N140, N180, N220 and N260 kg/ha. In all variants of the experiment, an increase in plant height and the number of corn leaves relative to the control was observed against the background of the use of nitrogen fertilizer. The sharpest increase in the accumulation of dry matter by the time of harvest was observed in variants where nitrogen fertilizer was applied at a dose of N260 kg/ha -176.7 c/ha, which is 56.25% more relative to the control over an average of three years of research. Analysis of the elements of the structure of the corn crop showed that the use of increased doses of nitrogen fertilizer (N260 and N220 kg / ha) contributed to an increase in the number of grains in the cob, the mass of 1000 grains, and as a result, higher yields of grain and corn straw. The yield index at N260 and N220 kg/ha of urea doses was 40.07 and 40.52%, which is 10.42-11.66% more painful relative to control on average over three years of research. Keywords: CORN, CROP, NITROGEN FERTILIZERS, UREA, CARBAMIDE

Quantifying Drought Characteristics in Complex Climate and Scarce Data Regions of Afghanistan

Droughts cause critical and major risk to ecosystems, agriculture, and social life. While attempts have been made globally to understand drought characteristics, data scarcity in developing countries often challenges detailed analysis, including climatic, environmental, and social aspects. Therefore, this study developed a framework to investigate regional drought analysis (RDA) using regional drought intensity-duration-frequency (RD-IDF) curves and regional drought risk assessment (RDRA) based on the drought hazard indicator (DHI) and drought vulnerability indicator (DVI) for scarce data regions in Afghanistan. The drought characteristics were analyzed using the regional standardized-precipitation-index (SPI), and standardized precipitation-deficit distribution (SPDD). Further, L-moment statistics were used to classify different homogenous regions based on regional frequency analysis (RFA). The historical monthly precipitation data from 23 rainfall stations for the years 1970 to 2016 were collected from the Ministry of Water and Energy of Afghanistan. Based on the analysis performed, the area was classified into six homogeneous regions R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, and R-6. The drought was very consistent—almost 50% of the years—irrespective of the homogeneous region classified. R-4, located in the northeast of the country, had a one-year extreme drought with high resiliency and low risk to drought compared to other regions. As R-1, R-3 and R-5 are located in the southwest, center and southeast parts of Afghanistan, they experience moderate drought with low resiliency and high drought risk due to long period of droughts. Moreover, the uniform distribution of precipitation deficit (Dm), was less in arid climate regions. In contrast, the semi-arid climate regions showed higher values of Dm. Furthermore, in the results in all the regions, the IDF curves showed a high drought intensity with increasing drought return periods. In contrast, the intensity significantly decreased when the time scale increased, and fewer were enhanced within the increasing drought return period. However, the outcome of this study may contain essential information for end users to make spatially advanced planning for drought effect mitigation in Afghanistan.

Customs and Traditions of Uzbek-Kataghans

The Katagans are a large Uzbek clan that lived mainly in the southern regions of modern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as in the northeastern regions of Afghanistan. The traditions and rituals of the Katagans were formed over many centuries and covered all aspects of social life. Many of the rituals they have are not found in other regions and are of great scientific interest. This article highlights the customs and rituals of the Uzbek Katagans of the late XIX - early XX centuries.

Exotic blue pigments in the polychrome interior of Yongle Taoist Temple: A case of international trade during the Yuan and Qing Dynasties

AbstractPrevious studies have established the use of various blue pigments, including both local and imported varieties, in the decoration of architecture in ancient China. However, the application of these pigments in local religious architecture has been understudied. In this study, the chemical analysis of ultramarine blue pigments was conducted on a mural painting retrieved from Yongle Taoist Temple in ancient China. The results showed that both imported and local pigments were used individually in the initial drawing period of the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1271–1368), whereas they were mixed in a later restoration in the Qing Dynasty (AD 1636–1912). Of particular significance, the analysis revealed the presence of lapis lazuli in a local religious relic of the Yuan Dynasty for the first time. Further analysis of the elemental proportions and associated minerals led to speculation about the origin of the lapis lazuli, which is believed to have come from Badakhshan, the northeastern region of Afghanistan, and been transported to Central China through the Silk Road. This finding shed light on the trade routes and usage of these pigments in the construction of religious architecture from the Yuan to the Qing dynasties.