Field work: Training for archaeology students, staff commences at heritage site

Latest techniques, methods of excavation to be imparted in four month programme

PESHAWAR: A training and capacity building programme for students and the field staff of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has started at Bhamala in Khanpur.

The programme will train budding archaeologists and staff members in latest techniques and methods of excavation.

“Training in modern techniques of excavation is the need of the hour,” said K-P Archaeology and Museums Director Dr Abdul Samad while speaking at the opening ceremony of the programme.

The director said it is a four-month-long programme in which more than 50 staff members, mostly archaeologists, conservators, draftsmen, conservation assistants, photographers  and students of archaeology from various educational institutions will participate.

The Bhamala Stupa, also known as Bhamala Buddhist Complex, is a national heritage site near Haripur. The ruins of Bhamala Stupa date back to 4CE and are situated near Khanpur Dam. It is a cross-shaped stupa, resembling an Aztec pyramid.

John Marshal first excavated the site in late 1920s and early 1930s but today the excavation work at the site has been initiated by the field staff at Hazara University, Mansehra, said the director.

He asked participants to fulfil their professional duties by applying the knowledge which they will gain during the training.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2014.