Older than you think: Bhamala could date back to 3 CE
Relics found in excavation provide clues to the site’s age
PESHAWAR:
Recent excavation at Bhamala Buddhist Archaeological Complex near Khanpur reveals some relics found at the ancient site could date back to the 3rd century CE. This contradicts John Marshal’s claim from 1930 which dates the site to the 12th century CE.
Recently discovered Buddha heads were made out of baked soil in the third century, according to the findings of archaeologists excavating the complex in Haripur district.
The research was conducted by Hazara University with the help of foreign experts. It was headed by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Director of Archaeology and Museums Dr Abdul Samad.
He told The Express Tribune precious coins from the Kushan period were unearthed around the stupa. “This ruined stupa has been selected for the excavation because it is totally different from others in our region,” Samad said. “It is cross shaped and looks like an Aztec Pyramid. Such constructions were previously found only in Kashmir.”
Universities from the US and United Kingdom have expressed their interest in doing research on the ancient site in order to build a historical profile of the place.
The Bhamala UNESCO world heritage site was first excavated in 1930. It was estimated at the time that the site dated back to the 12th century.
According to the director, archaeologists, conservators, diggers, and treasure hunters took part in the Bhamala site excavation.
Samad spoke about the training and capacity-building programme for students and the field training school in Bhamala for staffers. The aim is to educate archaeological excavators on the latest techniques and methods. Samad said the capacity-building training programme is four months long. More than 50 participants, including students from various educational institutes, took part in said training. The 50 or so field staffers included draftsmen, conservation assistants, photographers and students of archaeology.
The director said the programme will continue over the coming months at the field training school.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2014.
Recent excavation at Bhamala Buddhist Archaeological Complex near Khanpur reveals some relics found at the ancient site could date back to the 3rd century CE. This contradicts John Marshal’s claim from 1930 which dates the site to the 12th century CE.
Recently discovered Buddha heads were made out of baked soil in the third century, according to the findings of archaeologists excavating the complex in Haripur district.
The research was conducted by Hazara University with the help of foreign experts. It was headed by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Director of Archaeology and Museums Dr Abdul Samad.
He told The Express Tribune precious coins from the Kushan period were unearthed around the stupa. “This ruined stupa has been selected for the excavation because it is totally different from others in our region,” Samad said. “It is cross shaped and looks like an Aztec Pyramid. Such constructions were previously found only in Kashmir.”
Universities from the US and United Kingdom have expressed their interest in doing research on the ancient site in order to build a historical profile of the place.
The Bhamala UNESCO world heritage site was first excavated in 1930. It was estimated at the time that the site dated back to the 12th century.
According to the director, archaeologists, conservators, diggers, and treasure hunters took part in the Bhamala site excavation.
Samad spoke about the training and capacity-building programme for students and the field training school in Bhamala for staffers. The aim is to educate archaeological excavators on the latest techniques and methods. Samad said the capacity-building training programme is four months long. More than 50 participants, including students from various educational institutes, took part in said training. The 50 or so field staffers included draftsmen, conservation assistants, photographers and students of archaeology.
The director said the programme will continue over the coming months at the field training school.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2014.