Collaborating over history: Archaeology department takes over Mian Khan site

Handover occurred after AWKU started excavation in November, discovered evidence from Kushan period.

PESHAWAR:

Abdul Wali Khan University (AWKU) in Mardan handed over ongoing excavation work at Mian Khan village near Katlang to the provincial archaeology department on Wednesday.

The university launched exploratory work on November 17, 2014 after acquiring a licence from the department. “And the university’s team recovered a number of relics dating back to 190 BCE,” said Abdur Rahman who is the curator of the university museum. Although excavation will be carried out by the government, any relics found will be showcased at AWKU’s museum.

Archaeologists make invaluable discoveries from the Kushan period. PHOTOS COURTESY: ABDUL WALI KHAN UNIVERSITY, MARDAN

When the project started last year, it was supervised by Dr Ihsan Ali, the university’s vice chancellor who is also a renowned archaeologist. The aim of the project was to document and create an archaeological profile of Mian Khan.

“The relics found are artifacts and have unprecedented importance in documenting human life,” said Ali. “Archaeologists from both [university and government] departments will proceed further to create a perfect archaeological profile of the area.”

Archaeologists make invaluable discoveries from the Kushan period. PHOTOS COURTESY: ABDUL WALI KHAN UNIVERSITY, MARDAN

For those who follow the archaeologist’s footprints, Hund, near Attock, is meant to be the next destination of both departments, a site for archaeological investigation, said Ali.

The age of Mian Khan

Archaeologists recently made invaluable discoveries from the Kushan period which shows Mian Khan “was established 2000 years ago, most likely by Buddhists.” In addition to pottery, beads, miscellaneous iron objects, large storage jars, humped bull and female figurines and a number of copper coins were found there. “We can safely assume—with honour—that we are the true heirs of the great ancient civilization.”



Directorate of Archaeology Director Dr Abdul Samad, who was present to take the authority of the site, said they plan to extend excavation work alongside archaeologists from AWKU.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2014.