Human remains, artefacts found in Bhanbhore

Excavation report will be disclosed in three months.

KARACHI: Archaeologists have found three human skeletons and artefacts, such as coins, beads, pieces of pottery and bangles, during an excavation in the historical site of Bhanbhore, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The initial report is expected to be disclosed after three months but experts believe that the remains could be from anywhere between the seventh to the 13th century — the time when Muslims ruled the area. “The items found are at least 900 years old,” said the mission’s coordinator, Kaleemullah Lashari. “This location used to be an important site for trade at one point. In fact, it was the safest port in the region.”



The 17-page report of the excavation, which was conducted in different years over at least seven years — seems insufficient as it fails to portray the entire history of the site, said an official. The new report will disclose important aspects of Bhanbhore and will also help historians and archaeologists alike, he said.

“The experts have found these remains near a temple at the site,” informed Bhanbhore’s curator Abdul Fatah Shaikh. He informed that the human skeletons were found nearly five-and-a-half-feet under the ground. The coins are in deteriorated condition, said Shaikh, adding that similar coins were found before as well. “The new finds are very important,” he added.

The excavation team includes French and Italian experts, including Marlo Piacentini, Agnese Fusaro, Noccolo Manassero, Alessandro Tilia, Monique Kervran, Cyril Driard and Hiline David, along with Pakistani archaeologists who started their work on January 6. The digging will continue till February 13.

The experts, who work at least 45 days a year on this site, will continue their work for the next three years as they have obtained a three-year licence, according to officials. This project is likely to go on till 2015, they added.



The remains and other relics discovered on Thursday are expected to be sent to Italy and France for further processing, although Lashari said the decision has yet to be made. It has yet to be confirmed if the Sindh government will bear all the expenditures or any other organisation, as several international agencies are interested in the findings and are willing to provide funds.

Lashari felt that this area needs more attention and the items need to be analysed scientifically in the long run. “We should be able to determine if these remains were buried or were destroyed naturally.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2014.