Preserving the past: 60-day heritage conservation project concludes

Activities organised to preserve archaeological sites for purpose of posterity

MANSEHRA: A 60-day project launched by the department of archaeology at Hazara University in Mansehra to ensure conservation of cultural heritage concluded on Wednesday.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr Shakirullah Khan, head of the department of archaeology at the varsity, said the initiative was launched with the financial support of United States Education Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) and Pak US Alumni Network (PUAN).

“Under this project, some important archaeological sites were selected,” he said.

According to Shakirullah, the sites included a monument in Naukot village, Gulibagh Monument, Zardheri Buddhist Stupa near Shinkiari, Mansehra Rock Edicts and Shiva Lingham Temple at Chitti Gatti, Gandhian.

A series of activities were organised to preserve these sites for the purpose of posterity.

“We installed signboards which carried information about the sites in both English and Urdu,” he said. “We distributed brochures in both languages among the public, held meetings with locals living close to these sites and arranged seminars at the university campus.”

According to Shakirullah, the objective is to raise awareness among the public about the importance of cultural heritages.

“Most of these monuments are in poor condition and vulnerable to harm,” he said. “During the campaign, locals promised to protect them from damage.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2016.