Alerts

3,000 years ago in Swat

Archaeologists have caught another glimpse of Swat’s glorious past — revealing secrets of a civilisation that have been buried in the earth for over 3,000 years. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

The Italian Archaeological Mission on Wednesday discovered an ancient cemetery dating back thousands of years at Odigram, Swat — a site experts believe was built between 1500 BC to 500 BC. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

The site was home to unique ancient graves, pottery, ornaments made of bronze and copper, spindles and hairpins — a discovery made under the framework of the Archaeology Community Tourism (ACT) project. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

A total of 23 graves have been excavated at the site that seems to be an ancient cemetery, indicating that they belonged to the pre-Buddhist era. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Personal ornaments including bronze earrings and spindles made out of ivory were also unearthed from the site, which indicates the type of role woman played back then. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

The newly-discovered vessels symbolise simple but competent craft — ranging from copper pins used to fix hair to small perfume bottles. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

A professor of Archaeology at University of Padua was of the view that the people of this civilisation had very complex rituals. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

The ancient remains were discovered at Odigram, which was the capital of Swat during the Hindu Shahi period between the 8th and 10th century. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

One grave contained two bodies placed strategically such that they face each other. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

The region was identified as Ora by Aurel Stein, the city where Alexander the Great fought one of his battles. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

ACT specialists working on the site said that this particular cemetery was not the only one that could have existed during that time; in fact, there could have been hundreds of such in Swat. PHOTO: FAZAL KHALIQ/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

A pre-historic cemetery was discovered in Swat revealing secrets of a civilisation buried for over 3,000 years.

Khurram

Nov 16, 2012 - 10:34AM

Reply

Well this means People of North West were Buddhists and Hindus as well like all the people of the Sub Continent. Because in the past The remains of Last Hindu Emperor Raja Gira’s remains were found in this region and then Ashuka’s Buktara Stupa temple was discovered in the same region and now more remains have been discovered overtime. I think some of the remains date back to the Mauraya Dynasty that was the biggest dynasty of this region Stretching from South India upto Whole of Modern Day Afghanistan.

Recommend
Javeria Mahmood

Nov 16, 2012 - 2:39PM

Reply

@Khurram:
wow

Recommend
Python

Nov 16, 2012 - 6:17PM

Reply

The relics of the great hindu civilization!

Recommend
mc duffy

Nov 16, 2012 - 9:58PM

Reply

@Python:
i thought Hindus burn their dead not bury them?

Recommend
Khair Muhammad

Nov 17, 2012 - 11:26AM

Reply

Why they digging the grave it is not good according to Islamic law

Recommend
york

Nov 18, 2012 - 8:11AM

Reply

@mc duffy:
you missed 3000 yearsRecommend
Shoaib

Nov 19, 2012 - 11:55AM

Reply

@KHurram

Great

Recommend
fahad khan

Dec 1, 2012 - 11:50PM

Reply

the graves are more then 3000 years old, i think there are more then 100 graves are still in site which are not excavated yet….

Recommend
zubair

Dec 10, 2012 - 11:36PM

Reply

i hope they are not killed by TalibanRecommend
zubair

Dec 10, 2012 - 11:41PM

Reply

i hope they are not killed by Taliban

Recommend
M.Riaz sagar

Mar 23, 2013 - 4:02PM

Reply

If there is nothing found about written record how can 1 believe it.To my mind it is part of the discoveries of Gandhara Grave culture,

Recommend
M.Riaz sagar

Mar 23, 2013 - 4:17PM

Reply

If there is nothing found about written record how can 1 believe it.To my mind it is part of the discoveries of Gandhara Grave culture,

Recommend
M.Riaz sagar

Mar 23, 2013 - 4:19PM

Reply

This is a part of Gandhara Grave culture.

Recommend