Featured Pakistan: The Archaeological Marvel

[Kambojaric]

Archaeology: PC-1 Of Six Schemes Worth Rs 232m Approved To Conserve Monuments

Archaeology department Punjab has approved PC-I of six schemes worth Rs 232 million including two new museums, in Multan and Harappa, besides conservation and archaeological excavation of four more monuments and ancient sites including the centuries old Tulaja fort that rest atop a mountain on a plateau in Khushab

Archaeology department Punjab has approved PC-I of six schemes worth Rs 232 million including two new museums, in Multan and Harappa, besides conservation and archaeological excavation of four more monuments and ancient sites including the centuries old Tulaja fort that rest atop a mountain on a plateau in Khushab.

In-charge archaeology department Multan Malik Ghulam Muhammad told APP that construction of two new museums, one each in Multan and Harappa, would cost overall Rs 160 million, i.e Rs 80 million each.

He said that ancient Tulaja fort in Khushab would be conserved and undergo archaeological investigation. Tourism-friendly facilities would also be made available at the monument under a Rs 30 million project that would be completed in two years.

Tulaja is the ruins of a fort on a plateau atop a hill in district Khushab and according to stories it was the place where Sultan Jalaluddin Khwarizm and his soldiers took refuge after a fierce battle with Mongols near river Chenab that ended when the Khwarizm Sultan jumped into the river.

Another monument to be conserved is the Sher Shah Suri Bawli at Wan Bhachraan in Mianwali. A number of Bawli were built by Sher Shah Suri along the grand road built in his times and these Step Wells were a worthwhile source of comfort for the travelers at deserted places to take a nap in coolest atmosphere and drink cool and clean water before moving forward.

A sum of Rs 10 million has been proposed for the Wan Bhachraan Bawli. Officials plan to develop a one-Kanal grassy lawn around the Bawli protected by a metallic fence to run around it.

Benches and canopies would be placed for the tourists.

The well would be cleaned thoroughly by removing silt, garbage and trash before conserving its inner and outer walls, the steps leading to the well through a wide airy tunnel, and the rooms or rest cavities carved inside the inner walls of the well. The Rs 10 million project would be conserved within the ongoing fiscal year.

A sum of Rs 12 million has been earmarked for conservation of Hazrat Sheikh Sadan Shaheed mausoleum, a marvel of artfully carved brick work. Awefully beautiful Quranic Verses and designs in geometrical patterns can still be seen decorating the roofless monument from all four sides and developed in cut and carved brick work, in Muzaffargarh district.

Officials plan to develop a passage from road to the monument, place canopies for tourists, develop brick-on-edge flooring, building a boundary wall besides conserving the monument through underpinning and restoration of Quranic verses and geometrical patterns. This scheme would be completed in a year.

Another Rs 20 million has been earmarked for conservation of tomb of King Tahir Khan Nahar in Seet Pur, district Muzaffargarh. Rs 12 million funding has been earmarked for utilization in the ongoing fiscal year 2021-22 and remaining work would be completed next fiscal year.

Officials said that they would prepare detailed estimates of all these schemes after administrative approval is granted adding that the approval of estimates would make the schemes enter the tender process and subsequent execution.

Archaeology: PC-1 Of Six Schemes Worth Rs 232m Approved To Conserve Monuments - UrduPoint

Archaeology department Punjab has approved PC-I of six schemes worth Rs 232 million including two new museums, in Multan and Harappa, besides conservation and archaeological excavation of four more monuments and ancient sites including the centuries old Tulaja fort that rest atop a mountain on a...

www.urdupoint.com

 

[ghazi52]

Bhambore: the city of mystery and romance

Humera Naz

A panoramic view of the ruins of Bhambore


Associated with the story of Sassui Punhun that was immortalised in the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, the ancient city of Bhanbore was situated 37 miles north of Karachi, near Gharo. The 10th century capital of Bhambo Raja, the city reached the height of its fame as the most important crossroad of the ancient trade route to China and Middle East.

It is believed that Bhambore was destroyed around 1250 CE, but it still lives in the world of romance and folklore. Sassui’s grave lies at a site known as ‘Sassui waro chodo’, 14 miles from Karachi on the road to Kech Makran.

The story of Sussui-Punhun owes its origin to the Soomra period (1024-1351CE), which is known as the period of chivalry and romance. Through the Bhats and the Charans, this story spread far and wide. The first documented source mentioning Bhambore is found in the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s grandfather Shah Abdul Karim Bulri (1536-1623CE) who while narrating the story of ‘Sussui - Punhun’ says:
Sussui says, “When I came outside Bhambore and cried out, if my cries would have been heard by my beloved, he would have not left me.”


Surprisingly, there is no factual evidence that proves whether the city really existed or is just a romantic fantasy in literature


After Shah Abdul Karim, many references to this city can be traced in the literature of Sindh. Mir Muhammad Masum Bakhari (d. 1606CE)), the great historian and poet of Sindh also narrated this story under the title of Masnawi Husn-o-na’az in Persian some time around 1594CE. Besides, Mian Shah Inayat (d. I719CE) and Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai (d. 1752CE) also narrate the famous folklore of Sussui-Punhun in their poetry using different variations in spelling and pronunciation of Bhambore such as ‘Bhombore’ or ‘Banbhore’, both of which are still used by the people of Sindh.

Nevertheless, the origin and history of Bhambore is mostly obscure and its location controversial. For instance, David Ross thought the ruins of Bhambore are ‘Deebal’. Sir Henry George Elliot and Alexander Cunningham consider it to be the ancient ‘Barbarikan’ which, according to Maris Erythraei the author of the Periplus, was the delta seaport during Alexander’s time (c. 324 BCE).

“There are ruins of great antiquity in ‘Bambura’, comprising ramparts, bastions, towers and houses which show a large population and trace at one time,” wrote David Ross in his book titled The Land of the Five Rivers and Sindh: Sketches Historical and Descriptive when he first saw the site in the 19th century CE. Henry Cousens in, Antiquities of Sind says, “Natives of Sindh consider it as the oldest port of the province.” And that he himself would take it to be a port of Alexander’s days. Notwithstanding, there is no factual evidence that proves whether the city of Bhambore really existed or is just a fantasy. No one could find the traces of this place or its name from any authentic historical source. It might be possible that this city existed during the earlier time and was adopted in the folklore later, however this conception does not have a strong footing.

According to Sindhi folklore, the story of Sussui-Punhun is associated with the region that spreads from Kuch valley to southern Sindh. This region is generally considered a part of the ancient trade route towards Iraq, on which Bhambore seems to be situated 37 miles south-east from Karachi.

There are three reasons that substantiate this assumption. First, the ruins of Bhambore are situated on the old course of River Indus; second, in the north west of the ruins, the quarters of textile dying workers are found that are associated with the story of Sussui-Punhun; and thirdly, Sussui took this route while looking for Punhun after he was kidnapped by his brothers and the place where her monument has been erected is situated in the north-west of Karachi near the hills of Pubb and the valley of Sanghar.

Remains of the fort


Dr N.A. Baloch, who carried out substantial research on this issue, argues that in the name of ‘Bhambore’ there appears to be a convincing philological clue to the name of the old Buddhist temple at Deebal, namely (Bhanmbor = Ban-Bahar) Vana-Vihara which probably may have been the name of the Buddhist temple that stood at this site which should be Deebal. Buddhist temples are known as ‘Viharas’ and in the Fathnama-i-Sindh alias Chachnama (c. 1216 CE), the earliest historical source on Sindh, we get names of some other Buddhist temples in Sindh at the time of Arab conquest. The accounts of Debal speak of the temple which stood approximately 14 yards high. At Bhambore, high on the hillock stand some old foundation of walls eight to 10 feet wide with bastions. This high platform may have been the site of the temple and later on of the mosque that Bhambore is largely known for.

It is believed that Bhambore, which is 35km from the open sea today, was only 20km from the sea during the 13th century, and when Alexander came here in 324 BCE, it was probably on the sea itself or a mile or two in land on the Kalri branch of the Indus. The ancient fort existed much before the Arab conquest but was repaired periodically.

The sandstone used in its construction, and also of houses, came from hillocks just outside the settlement but mud bricks were used for the poor men’s quarters and in core fortification. The settlement occupies about 55 acres, though only 10 per cent of the conspicuous area has been excavated and much cannot be known about the life of the common man. As there is mystery about the origin of this city, it has the same controversy about its end. No authentic and final conclusion has been drawn about its destruction yet.

There are numerous versions regarding the destruction of this ancient city. Some believe that a major change took place in the course of River Indus and the city that was situated on the bank of the river was deserted. Another reason that is given is that the city came to a sudden end following a violent earthquake around 1250CE. Some historians believe that the city was put to fire in the event of a civil war or a foreign invasion. Another account says that the destruction of Bhambore could have been caused when during the mid-13th century CE, Jalal al-Din Khwarzim Shah invaded Sindh, and devastated and conquered many coastal areas of Sindh.


The writer is assistant professor, Department of General History, University of Karachi, humera_naz@uok.edu.pk
Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine,

 

[Foinikas]

Cheers buddy. In relation to the above post I would like to add some info on Menander, the greatest Indo Greek king.

image 1

If I can make it out correctly,it says "ΜΕΝΑΝΔΡΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ",meaning "King Menander's" and the rest is the Kharosthi language you mentioned. But I think after ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ it might be saying "Satrape's" or "Savior's",I can't really tell,it's very clear.
It does look a bit like ΣΩΤΗΡOΣ (Savior's). Interesting coin!

Edit: Indeed it says "Savior's"

Menander I - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ghazi52]

The Gori Jain Temple was built in 1375-1376 CE.

The temple was exclusively allocated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankar Lord Parshwanath. Located in Tharparkar desert of Sindh

 

[Pak Nationalist]

..............................
Pakistan Archaeological Sites

Pakistan, though young in the comity of nations, has a rich and varied history spanning a period of over 9000s. The people of Pakistan today have been around for a long time...much before 1947...much before the medieval Mughuls...much before Muhammad bin Qasim...much before Islam...and much before the emanation of Vedic cultures. Pakistan has a history of over 9000 years, all of which have a unique link with the Indus River; Balochistan's Mehrgarh (7000 BC), Khyber Pakthunkhwa's Rehman Dheri (4000 BC), Punjab's Harappa (3000 BC) and Sindh's Mohenjodaro (2500 BC) combined have more than 50,000 rock carvings and over 10,000 inscriptions. Many other heritage sites ranging from the Neolithic period in present-day Gilgit Baltistan and the the ancient Sharda University in Azad Jammu & Kashmir are also worth mentioning. Pakistan is an ancient land in world history. One of the oldest remains of human activity are found in the Soan Valley of the Potohar region in Punjab. The antiquity of these relics of the Stone Age is estimated at about over 2 million years old. Still within the Stone Age, in Balochistan, we find the remains of a stone age man, who was succeeded through the Mesolithic Age by the people of the Neolithic period. Signs of a continuous process of human activity and the hesitant steps of Neolithic and Chalcolithic/Bronze Age communities towards civilization have been found at Mehrgarh (8000 BC) but somewhere around 2700-2500 BC, this and other settlements began to disintegrate, possibly as a result of migration by people towards the Indus River. This process coincided with the emergence and extension of settled or urban life in the greater Indus Valley, culminating around 2300-1500 BC, in the mature Bronze Age 'Indus Valley Civilisation' represented by the sites of Moenjodaro in Sindh and Harappa in Punjab. They are renowned for being one of the most well developed early urban civilisations in human history. Following the decline of the Indus cities and the arrival of the Aryans in this region, around 1800-800 BC., at Pirak, Balochistan, there are indications of the use of iron by the communities of the region, along with extensive cultivation of rice, sorghum and millet. The fall of the Indus Civilisation was probably caused by Aryan tribes round about 1500 BC. They were pastoral societies which developed into the Rig-Vedic or early historic city-states. Successively, the territories now constituting Pakistan were conquered by Darius-I of Persia, the Mauryan Great King Ashoka, Bactrian Greeks, Scythians, Parthians and Kushans. The Gandhara region in northern Pakistan flourished from the time of the Persian conquest (600 BC to 500 AD) to the invasion of the White Huns. Almost all the invaders favoured Buddhism and Buddhist cultural traditions flourished in the region. One of the most prized art forms of Pakistan 'the Buddhist Art of Gandhara' reached its zenith during the reign of Kanishka. After the conquest of Sindh by Muhammad bin Qasim in 711 AD, Islam gained firm hold in the area. From the 10th century on wards, Ghaznavis, Ghoris, Khiljis and Tughlaks ruled over the Indus until the invasion of Timur, who paved the way for the great Mughal Empire. This empire lasted until the War of Independence of 1857. The Early Muslim rulers of the subcontinent kept the border open for Muslims, which resulted in the spread of Islam and the establishment of Muslim settlements throughout the region. This era has given Pakistan much of its rich ethnic and cultural heritage. The realisation of the two nation theory on the basis of religion saw its dawn in the subcontinent with the arrival of Muhammad bin Qasim. Subsequent Muslim rulers came from Persia and Central Asia, with entirely different cultures, resulting in a harmonious fusion. With the passage of time, two nations developed with a different outlook on life, language and literature, customs and legal system, arts and architecture. The Muslims ruled the subcontinent until the establishment of the British Empire, which lasted until 1947. After Independence in 1947, Islamic traditions and values continued to be a defining force in the collective and individual lives of the people of Pakistan.

There are a number of sites in Pakistan that were once home to great and ancient civilizations. The sophistication of their cultures and times can still be observed in the ruins and remains that can be found at many locations here. These are of great interest to archaeologists as they afford a view into the past and shed some more light on how life once used to be for the inhabitants of these lands.

Here’s a list of some particularly prominent areas:

Mehrgarh

The civilization found in Mehrgarh was amongst the first in the world to establish the practice of agriculture, keeping of livestock and organized communal life with a village structure. It lasted for 5000 years till 2000-2500 B.C. after which the ancient dwellers seem to have migrated to other areas, speculated to be Mohenjodaro and Harappa.

It was previously thought that the earliest settlements in South Asia were in Mohenjodaro and Harappa, the best known sites for the Indus Valley Civilization. However, in 1979, the timeline of civilization found in Pakistan was pushed back by more than 4000 years by the discovery of the signs of a civilization at Mehrgarh, about 30 kilometres from the town of Sibi, in the province of Balochistan. The remains are dated to 7000-9000 years ago and therefore immediately precede the Stone Age.

The timeline for this area has been divided into four to seven periods. The earliest of these is the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period of 7000 B.C. and possibly even before that. Mehrgarh was deserted between 2000 and 2500 B.C. and reused as a burial ground for some time after 2000 B.C. It would therefore make sense to say that the Indus Valley civilization has its roots here as well since archaeologists have linked Harappan genesis to Mehrgarh, after the discovery of some early indications of Harappan styles, especially the similarities in earthenware.

The Neolithic Revolution seems to have taken place around 8500 – 6000 B.C. Livestock and agriculture started and life became more settled in permanent housing. Remains of painted pottery and ornaments representing both humans and animals have also been excavated recently from the site. And in what could be one of the earliest known evidence of dentistry and knowledge of dental procedures, scientists at the University of Missouri-Columbia have found tiny, perfectly rounded holes in teeth in the region which they think were drilled to repair tooth decay. None of these come from a special tomb, suggesting that oral health care was available as a general right.

Kot Diji

Around 3500-3000 B.C, another civilization came into being while the Indus Valley Civilization was just underway. Located about 22 km south of Khairpur in the Sindh of province, Pakistan, the Kot Dijli site is some 60 km away from Mohenjo-daro.

Excavated in 1955, the site’s culture is characterized by the use of the red-slipped globular jar with a short neck painted with a black band. During the peak of this civilization, the region was divided into two. The first part was a Citadel for the elites, separated by a defensive wall from the general public. The second was a Lower Town with mud houses. Terracotta found from this site has characteristic horizontal and wavy lines, or loops and triangular patterns. Remains of jars, balls, bangles, beads, pots and figures have also been discovered at the site.

The ancient site is speculated to have been burned down, though the reasons for this end are yet to be discovered.

Mohenjodaro

The name literally translates to Mound of the Death. Situated 350 miles from Karachi, the capital of Sindh, Mohenjodaro is one of the most important archaeological sites in Pakistan. It was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, and one of the world’s earliest major urban settlements. The civilization existed from 2500 B.C. to about 1500 B.C. after which it disappeared. Mohenjodaro was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.



The citadels found here seem to have once housed palaces, granaries, and grand baths used for ablutions. The town was laid out in rectangular patterns. Houses were two-storied and had drainage systems that led into brick-lined sewers.

Trade and agriculture formed the backbone of the ancient economy. Many copper, bronze, and clay fashioned remains have been found. An important find are the seals. These are engraved with animal figures and a line of pictograph script. On some seals there is a tree or the Hindu god Shiva drawn. The script has yet to be deciphered.



It is mostly accepted that the civilization fell in 1500 B.C. to invading Aryans.

Harappa

Harappa is situated 35 km from Sahiwal and around 250 km from Lahore in the province of Punjab. It was from here that the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization were first discovered that eventually led archaeologists to Mohenjodaro. Though some of the remains of Harappa were destroyed, several cemeteries have been excavated to reveal much about the Harappan culture.





There seem to be have been a series of cities. With a similar layout and designs of citadel and granaries, Harappa looks like Mohenjodaro and appears to have been most populated around in 2000 to 1700 B.C. as well. The economy appears to have been agriculture and trade oriented.

Many of the dead were buried wearing a variety of jewelry and other ornaments, such as rings, along with earrings and bangles. Some of the females had anklets of tiny beads and girdles studded with semi-precious stones.

Taxila

Taxila is a town situated about 32 km away from Islamabad, the Capital of Pakistan. The name is translated to “City of Cut Stone” in Sanskrit. The civilization here is dated back to the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 and in 2006 it was said to be the top tourist destination in Pakistan according to The Guardian.

Taxila can be considered to be amongst the earliest universities to ever exist. This may not be highly accurate in the modern sense, as there was no particular structure to the imparting of Education. The teachers were not paid and had complete autonomy as to the choosing of students and subjects, without any centralized syllabus or control from the ruling authorities. There were also no examinations taken or degrees awarded.

The main ruins of Taxila are divided into three major cities, and each corresponds to a different period in time. The oldest of these is in the Hathial area, which yielded surface shards similar to red burnished ware and these remains may be from an era as early as the late 2nd millennium B.C. to the 6th century B.C. The second is found at Sirkap and was built in the 2nd century B.C. The last city is situated at Sirsukh.

Rehman Dheri

It is a pre-Harappan site, and dated about 4000 B.C. It is located 22 km away from Dera Ismail Khan in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province. It is considered to be one of the oldest urbanized centers in South Asia that we know of.

It appears to have once been a large walled rectangular city with a grid iron network. The location of a number of small-scale industrial areas can be seen occupied by eroding kilns and scatters of slag. The surface is strewn with thousands of shreds.

There are not many remains at Rehman Dheri except for thousands of broken utensil bits and stone. It seems to have been left by its inhabitants in the middle of the third millennium B.C. The plan of the Early Harappan settlement is therefore completely undisturbed by later developments in civilization that took place at the other sites and hence represents the beginning of urbanization in South Asia.

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The archeological department is underfunded. What's under our feet could foster a sense of nationhood and assist us in weaving a common national myth. Religion alone is insufficient as we have seen till now. Pakistan's roots must be connected to the great civilizations of Indus and Gandhara (and maybe even before that, Mehrgarh, the precursor to IVC). All civilizational states are motivated by a sense of attaining the glory of a glorious past (Iranians, Turks, Russians, Chinese, even Indians, etc.) We have never laid focus on an a-religious common national myth binding all sub nationalities that constitute Pakistan today. Making this point so more people begin seeing the state of affairs as I do and bring this up in exchanges in their own spheres of influence.

 

[ghazi52]

More than 2700 years ago a huge university existed in ancient Pakistan, near Islamabad where over 10,500 students including students from 16 different countries came for higher studies.
Great scholars taught over 64 different disciplines. This was Taxila (Takshashila) University.

Taxila (Takshashila) University was world's Ist International University. It comprised 300 lecture halls, laboratories, observatory & a huge library housed in 3 buildings. For 10,500 students, almost 2,000 master-teachers taught 64 different subjects.

 

[ghazi52]

Professor Noam Chomsky attributes the origin of linguistics, as also a product of Taxila (Takshashila) University.

Literally meaning "City of Cut Stone" or "Rock of Taksha", Taxila at the time was described as wealthiest city of Indus Valley, Pakistan. Taxila University attracted international students from 16/17 different countries including China, Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Babylonia & Greece.

2700 years old Taxila (Takshashila) University of Pakistan was world's first International University. It comprised 300 lecture halls, laboratories, observatory & a huge library housed in 3 buildings. For 10,500 students, almost 2,000 master-teachers taught 64 different subjects.

John Marshal in his book "A Guide to Taxila" mentions that, Taxila is frequently mentioned as a university center where students could get instruction in almost any subject, from religious to secular, from mathematics to medicine, even to astrology and archery.

2700 years old Taxila (Takshashila) University is part of Pakistan's ancient history and heritage. It has nothing to do with Republic of India.

Languages, grammar, philosophy, medicine, surgery, agriculture, politics, archery, warfare, astronomy, governance, commerce and music etc. were taught. There were even certain unique subjects taught, like the art of discovering hidden treasure and decrypting encrypted messages etc.

Taxila (Takshashila) University of Pakistan thrived for approximately 1000 years, with a resurgence under King Kanishka the Great, an emperor of Kushan dynasty in the 2nd century (127–150 AD), until it was destroyed by Shaivite [Hindu] King Mihirakula in 6th century AD.

 

[ghazi52]

Art work displayed on seals & artifacts of Indus Valley Civilisation of Pakistan provide abundant evidence of fascinatingly imaginative & creative art but nothing related to religiosity. They may have been decorative/illustrate narratives, never displayed symbols of any religion.

 

[ghazi52]

Nangrial in famous Malam-Jaba Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan houses over 2000 years old ancient remains.

Sir Aurel Stein was the first archaeologist to visit the area in 1926. The area houses protohistoric graves, rock art and structures of late antiquity.

 

[ghazi52]

Mehrgarh..

Located near Sibi in Balochistan, ancient city of Mehrgarh (7000 BC-2000 BC) is the oldest Neolithic human settlement in Pakistan and also in this region with evidence of farming (wheat and barley), herding (cattle, sheep and goats) and proto-dentistry.






7000 BC Mehrgarh city of Pakistan was discovered in 1974 by an archaeological team directed by French archaeologist Jean-François Jarrige, and was excavated continuously between 1974 and 1986, and again from 1997 to 2000.

At its height, the 7000 BC Mehrgarh city of Pakistan is assessed that the population of Mehrgarh city peaked at around 25000 inhabitants and remained continuously occupied till it was abandoned between 2600-2000 BC.

Mehrgarh being the precursor, clearly illustrates a continuous sequence of Indus Valley Civilization’s dwelling sites in Pakistan, established from 7000 BC onwards, highlighting its subsistence patterns, as well as its craft and trade.

Between 7000-6000 years ago people of 9000 years old Mehrgarh, Pakistan learned to use bow-drills, to drill holes in beads of lapis lazuli, turquoise & cornelian etc. They used similar drills in dentistry for drilling in human teeth. Others in IVC, learned it a 1000 years later.






Age-wise Burial of 150 People in 7000 BC Mehrgarh Graveyard, Pakistan:

Uptil 4 years old - 30.79%
5-9 years - 7.15%
10-14 years - 8.15%
15-19 years - 3.13%
20-24 years - 5.35%
25-29 years - 7.72%
30-34 years - 7.89%
35-39 years - 5.51%
40-44 years - 5.68%
50 + years - 15.95%


Metallurgical analysis of copper bead from 8000 years old burial at Mehrgarh, Pakistan allowed recovery of several threads which were identified as cotton. These fibres were earliest known use of cotton & put the date of Ist use of this textile plant back by more than 1000 years.

Most houses of 9000 years old Mehrgarh, Pakistan consisted of 4 rooms; 12" wide mudbrick walls. Average structure was 18x12 ft. Rooms generally of same size with small inter-connected/oustide openings. Many rooms/houses were painted red inside and outside, adorned with paintings.




During the excavation of 7000 BC Mehrgarh city, a total of 16 buildings were excavated between 1978-1985. Additional buildings, totaling 46, were excavated in the course of 1997-2000 excavation period. Total area of Mehrgarh city covers 300 hectare.

Jean-Fracois Jarriage who excavated Mehrgarh, states that the paint used for painting the house interiors was prepared from plain red ochre.

Lorenzo Costantini & Alessandro Lentini conducted palynological investigations during 2000s at 7000 BC Mehrgarh in Balochistan, Pakistan. They concluded that climatic conditions were wetter & dense gallery of forests existed at the time in the area till about 4th millennium BC.

Ancient site of Sheri Khan Tarakai in Bannu Basin, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan covers area of 0.2 sq km. It represents a single cultural horizon from over 6000 years, showing parallels with pottery of 9000 years old Mehrgarh & ancient sites in Cholistan & Punjab.

Rafique Mughal

Indus Valley Civilisation was not founded by influences from West Asia. It was indigenous cultural development in Indus Valley region of Pakistan. Excavation of 7000BC Mehrgarh & Naushero revealed long cultural sequence from beginning of agriculture to fading out of Civilisation.

Excavation of several Indus Valley Civilisation sites in Baluchistan, Pakistan areas of Mehrgarh, Nausharo & Pirak etc carried out by French Archaeologist Jean-Franc'ois Jarrige, has revealed a continuous occupation during almost 6000 years, from 7000 BC until 1000 BC.




Ancient farming in Pakistan started from 7000 BC Mehrgarh, located between Sibi and Quetta, in the province of Balochistan. Recent studies have clearly shown that this farming activity was indigenous in nature and did not relate to any movement of ancient Iranians to Pakistan.


Approximately Assessed Population of Ancient Cities:

Jericho (Palestine) - 9000 BC
Population - 2000-3000

Chatal Huyuk (Turkey) - 7500 BC
Population - 5000-7000

Mehrgarh (Pakistan) - 7000 BC
Population - 20000-25000

Jarmo (Mesopotamia) - 6250 BC
Population - 4000-5000

Kachi plains & hills around 9000 years old Mehrgarh city of Balochistan, Pakistan had 12 species of wild animals; gazelle, swamp deer, nilgai, blackbuck, onager, spot
ted deer, water buffalo, sheep, goat, cattle, pig & elephant. Goats & sheep were domesticated animals at Mehrgarh.

 

[ghazi52]

Though coins were found in Peshawar Valley,

Pakistan from 230-200 BC onwards, these were in common use as currency in Swat, Bajaur, Swabi and Mian Khan Sanghou areas of Peshwar Valley from the 3rd century AD onwards.

 

[ghazi52]

7th Century Agham Kot/Aghamano founded by king Agham Lohana. It is a ruined city located near Gulab Laghari of Sindh, Pakistan. It is believed that the Indus River used to flow next to the city at one point, making it a vital trade and economic hub for southern Sindh.

 

[ghazi52]

Some data and photographs of fossilised bony remains of saurischian dinosaurs, mesoeucrocodiles, pterosaurs and some footprints and trackways of dinosaurs etc, excavated in Pakistan.

 

[Menace2Society]

More than 2700 years ago a huge university existed in ancient Pakistan, near Islamabad where over 10,500 students including students from 16 different countries came for higher studies.
Great scholars taught over 64 different disciplines. This was Taxila (Takshashila) University.


View attachment 774282


Taxila (Takshashila) University was world's Ist International University. It comprised 300 lecture halls, laboratories, observatory & a huge library housed in 3 buildings. For 10,500 students, almost 2,000 master-teachers taught 64 different subjects.

This is the absolute zenith of our history.

 

[ghazi52]

New archaeological sites to help promote tourism in Punjab: Buzdar

Sun, 3 Oct 2021,

LAHORE, Oct 03 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that the discovery of new archaeological and historical sites, artifacts and developing tourist points will help make the province a tourism hub.

According to official sources here, the CM said that discovery of archeological sites would not only attract foreign tourists and researchers but also improve the local economy.

University of the Punjab’s Archaeology Department Chairman Dr Muhammad Hameed said that according to the local traditions, the newly discovered Talajah Fort was built 5,000 years ago but, according to preliminary research, it was about two thousand years old.

The architecture of the houses and the artifacts discovered in Talajah Fort gave the traces that the Muslim population was settled there.

It was a presumption that archaeological and historical sites before the Muslim era in South Asia could also be discovered from Talajah Fort, he added.

He said that according to the local tradition, Muslims lived in the fort before the arrival of Jalaluddin Khawarizmi, the ruler of Central Asia.

He said that the discovery of Talajah Fort could reveal many facts for the archaeologists besides promoting tourism.

The discovery and preservation of thousands of years old archaeological and historical sites in Punjab are being carried out with a vision to promote tourism, according to official sources.

As a result of archaeologists’ successful expedition, thousands of years old authentic artifacts had been discovered at Talajah Fort in Soan Valley.

The archaeologists further disclosed that a research team had also discovered engraved manuscript on the stones of Mehmood Ghaznavi era during an excavation in Nandana Fort.