Neglect: Ancient cemetery in D-12 faces ‘development’ threat

Many graves have already been vandalised by locals.

ISLAMABAD:

A centuries-old cemetery in Sector D-12 faces destruction as the Capital Development Authority plans to flatten the area to develop the sector.

Situated on the northern strip of D-12, the graveyard, experts say, seems to be of a royal family as many graves are set in a huge single wall-like structure that has been buried under earth over the centuries and only the top is visible above ground.

Many of the graves have already been vandalised by the locals.

Remnants of animal bones have also been seen in abundance in the cemetery, which some researchers said might be part of magic or other such practices carried out in old graveyards.

National College of Arts Rawalpindi Campus Director Nadeem Omar Tarrar has been visiting the area with his research team for the last few weeks.

He told The Express Tribune that the age of the cemetery had yet to be determined, but one of the graves comprises three or four small graves, suggesting that it may have been a royal cemetery.

A number of ancient structures dating back to the Gandhara Civilisation have been uncovered in the foothills of Margallas. Most, if not all, face official neglect and badly need preservation.

The Buddhist remains lie on the ancient route once used by caravans to reach Taxila.

There are some newer graves near the ancient cemetery, but their alignment is not in sync with each other, suggesting different cultures.

Experts reckoned that this graveyard might be related to a pre-historic mound discovered recently by the same NCA team. There is also another series of graves some 300 yards from the cemetery.

There is a ridge in the cemetery which might have served as a wall or a water channel at some time in the past.

Tarrar says there are dozens of historical sites in the area which need urgent protection and further excavation.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2014.