KABUL, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's Ministry of Information and Culture has reported substantial progress in documenting and preserving the country's rich historical heritage in the past year, the ministry announced on Wednesday.

Professional surveys of around 70 historical monuments across the nation led to the identification and official registration of 15 newly discovered heritage sites, the ministry said in a statement.

In a parallel effort, 23 important historical monuments were successfully restored in multiple provinces, while conservation work on several others continues.

Afghanistan possesses one of the world's richest and most diverse cultural heritages, a living testament to ancient civilizations along the Silk Road. From monumental Buddhist sites and Islamic architecture to historic citadels and archaeological treasures, these monuments represent the soul of the nation's identity.