A leaf from history: Swat museum brings back the past after six years

Scores of people, including students and teachers, head to the reconstructed museum after its inauguration .

MINGORA:

After a gap of about seven years, scores of people made their way to the newly-reconstructed Swat Archaeological Museum on Thursday after it was reopened for the public a day earlier.

The visitors were excited to not only see a massive collection of artefacts from the Gandhara civilization but also the building’s state-of-the-art design.

“This new building is so spacious and wide that one feels a great delight in walking among ancient civilizations. It is truly an enjoyable experience,” said Gulranga Ali, a student of University of Swat visiting the museum with her classmates.



Sumera, a university lecturer said, “I had always wanted to arrange a tour for my students but couldn’t because the museum was closed. When we heard it was reopened, I arranged a visit immediately.” She added the museum tour was a good opportunity for students to learn about the area’s history by taking in the historical wonders of the region.

Inauguration

The Swat Archaeological Museum was inaugurated by Adviser to the Chief Minister on Tourism, Archaeology and Museums Amjad Khan Afridi along with Italian Ambassador Adriano Chiodi Cianfarani on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Cianfarani said, “The presence of Italian archaeological missions in Pakistan dates back to 1955 when they started work under the guidance of Professor Giuseppe Tucci. During its nearly 60 years here, the Italian mission obtained great results.” Cianfarani added Pakistan boasts of a rich historical heritage that needs to be known and understood within the country and abroad.

The CM’s adviser thanked the Italian government and Italian Archaeological Mission for reconstructing the Swat museum. “Opening it for the public is a huge achievement and will contribute to the revival of tourism in Swat,” said Afridi.

He added the provincial government understands the importance of archaeology and the role it can play in promoting tourism and boosting the economy. “We have been working to promote religious and cultural tourism in K-P because 30% of the country’s archaeological sites are in the province,” said Afridi.

The Swat Archaeological Museum was reconstructed at an estimated cost of $700,000 under a project funded by the Pakistan-Italian Debt Swap Agreement and implemented by the Archaeology Community Tourism – Field School Project.

The museum has been designed by Italian architects Ivano Marati and Candida Vassallo, and set up in collaboration with an engineer from the University of Naples Federico II and engineers from the University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar.

“Originally constructed with Italian contribution between 1956 and 1963, the old building was considered to be at risk of partial collapse when a static analysis was conducted,” Director of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan, Dr Luca Maria Olivieri told The Express Tribune.

He added a part of the building was demolished while another was improved and included in the new construction. According to Olivieri, the new museum was designed as per anti-seismic principles, making it the most structurally advanced building in Pakistan.

Local art associations have welcomed the restoration. “A museum is an institution where people learn and see an area’s history and understand its cultural heritage,” said Suvastu Arts and Culture Association Chairman Usman Ulasyar. “It is a great attraction for locals as well as tourists. We are thankful to the Italians for reconstructing it for us.”

K-P Archaeology Director Dr Abdul Samad told The Express Tribune the museum is one of the best in the country and houses a large number of artefacts from the Ghandhara civilisation. “The opening of the museum will boost economy as more and more tourists will visit Swat,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2014.