The Bala Hissar was the royal, military and administrative heart of Kabul for a significant period before itwas occupied by British forces during the first two Anglo-Afghan wars in the nineteenth century. Despite itsarchaeological and historical significance, part of the site continues to function as a military base, an expansionof which began in 2007 when nine large holes were bulldozed into the site before protests halted thework. This paper details the findings of an archaeological impact assessment undertaken in July 2007, andincorporates an analysis of satellite images documenting further construction in 2009. The results provide thefirst explicit archaeological (in particular ceramic) evidence suggesting deep continuity of occupation at thesite. The contested ownership and uncertain future of the Bala Hissar in Kabul exemplify the pressures placedon archaeological sites around the world, in the face of uncontrolled development and competing agendas
