Ancient Pakistan

Author(s):Akinori Uesugi

Abstract :

This paper explores a connection between Taxila and North India by examining stone beads from Taxila. Morphological and technological features of the beads from Bhir Mound and Sirkap point to close similarities to the examples from North India, which indicate the introduction of stone bead tradition from North India during the late first millennium BCE and early first millennium CE. Further studies on the archaeological remains from Taxila must be oriented to reveal understanding better how the connection with North India developed and examining different types of artefacts to reveal the strategic position and dynamic nature of the sites of Taxila connecting not only with North India but also with different parts of South Asia and Central Asia using scientific analyses.

Author(s):Elisa Iori and Luca M. Olivieri

Abstract :

The article reports on the archaeological data provided by the 2018 excavation at the urban site of Barikot, Swat (NW Pakistan). The campaign focused on the last phases of occupation of some residential and cultic areas located in the SW sector of the city, Units C and B. The excavation in Unit C reveals that the reconstruction activity following the seismic event occurred at the end of Period VII (mid- 3rd century) caused a substantial contraction and redistribution of the living spaces. The investigation of the Kushano-Sasanian phases in some areas of the so-called Temples C and B, enriched our knowledge of these urban cultic areas, both in terms of architectural layout and ritual practices.

Author(s):Rafiullah Khan

Abstract :

The present study argues concerning the possible existence of multiple centres of power during the late historic period (7th-10th centuries CE) of Swat. Archaeological, oral and analogical data have been produced and synchronised to re/construct the socio-political landscape of Swat during this period. The present study focuses on the archaeological site of Nangrial ( ل􀋄 ننگر یا ) in the Malam-Jaba valley along with its wider environs. The area is sumptuous enough in ancient remains and has been studied since the first ever visit of Sir Aurel Stein in 1926. Protohistoric graves, rock art and structures of late antiquity are found in the area. As a result, enough ancient history of Nangrial is now known. However, this understanding is augmented by adding oral data – dealing with political centrality of the site – in the framework of memory studies. It is argued that Swat in the last centuries of the first millennium of the Common Era witnessed the presence of more centres of political power.

Author(s):Farid Khan and Kenneth D. Thomas

Abstract :

Ethnographic studies were made of village-based potters and their workshops in Bannu District, Pakistan in December 1991. We analysed the complex and varied technological, ecological and socioeconomic aspects of specialised and highly skilled production of hand-made unglazed pottery for both local consumption and centralised sale in the bazaar in Bannu City. Specific attention was paid to factors such as raw materials, fuels, diverse types of equipment, skills (including gender-specific skills) and their transmission, and the sequence of operations (chaîne opératoire) involved in making a range of ceramic products. The village-based potters of Bannu District operate within a complex cash-based market economy, facing competition from alternative products of modern industry and from alternative and more lucrative forms of employment. The impact of such factors on the social reproduction or extinction of potters’ lineages is considered. Resilience strategies vary widely, including specialized production of a more limited range of wares, or increased diversity of the wares produced. We outline recent theoretical debates on the meaning, purpose and methodologies of ethnoarchaeology, and briefly examine what lessons, if any, arise from our study for interpreting ceramics and ceramic production in the archaeological record. Although dependent on technological and socio-economic contexts, we suggest that often there will be few directly applicable ‘positive’ or valid analogi

Author(s):Abdur Rahman

Abstract :

Yogi presence in Gandhāra (literally ‘Lake land’, generally identified with the valley of Peshāwar) during the Mughal period (roughly 16th – 17th century) is well known from contemporary literary sources. There is credible archaeological evidence to show that the Yogis reached Peshawar long before the advent of the Mughal rule (CE 1526) in India. At present, however, they are conspicuous by their total absence. But just like other nations and communities such as the Indo-Greeks, Scythians, Parthians, Oḍis, Apracas, Kushans, Ephthalites, Turks, Hindu Shāhis, Loharas, Bhīls etc have all left their identifiable traces behind in Gandhāra, the Yogis likewise must also have left their relics behind. The great challenge before us at present is how to remove the dust of time accumulated in the course of centuries and bring them into the limelight in their pristine beauty. For this, our strategy is based upon the critical examination of some curious place names, the unfolding of myths built around some long graves by presenting accurate historical data, the re-examination of the peculiar Yogi burial practices in the light of actual finds, and the presence of Śivaliṅgas or undressed monolithic columns near some graves. We have purposely avoided, except for a brief general introduction, to delve into the intricacies of Yoga philosophy, for, it is out of the scope of this article.

Author(s):Gul Rahim Khan, Mukhtar Ali Durrani and Abdul Samad

Abstract :

The Department of Archaeology, University of Peshawar, conducted excavations at a small mound located in Hayatabad, Peshawar, in 2017 followed by two more field seasons in 2018 and 2019. This preliminary report is based on the excavations conducted during the first field season in 2017. In the course of our excavation, we found structural remains and numerous archaeological finds like coins, figurines, beads, pottery and iron objects. The archaeological evidences suggest that the site remained in occupation from 2nd century BCE to the 2nd century CE. Accordingly, it was founded during the time of the Indo-Greeks through to the time of the Great Kushans. The most fascinating discovery of this site are the smith workshops, which were systematically established in sequence and known at different levels of occupation. These workshops were installed with working platforms, furnaces, crucibles, grinding stones, stone anvils and large quenching pots.

Author(s):Mamoona Khan, Rukhsana Khan and Nausheen Abbas

Abstract :

Larri, the wooden houses are manmade habitat of the Neelam Valley (Azad Kashmir), justify their being environment friendly, for having capacity to protect from the natural hazards. The efficacy of these structures lies in their inherent earthquake resistant properties. Wooden structures are basically timber based frames, which have proved to be popular all over the world in the earthquake prone areas. An example is the earthquake of 2005, which approved this along with protection of wooden structures from the extreme weathering conditions. These are so planned that the entire needs of these people could be catered, even with changing conditions of seasons. Furthermore, the wooden dwellings skilfully maintain kitchens and washrooms, though wood is vulnerable to fire and water. Aesthetically these houses are not simple, rather adorned with carvings. Lovely motifs are carved on various parts of the structures, whether inhabited by simple or by sophisticated class. The research will be an onsite study of wooden houses of Shāradā, in the Neelam Valley, locally called Larri or Nānnanz. The analysis of structural and functional values of the wooden houses is made and recommendations proposed.