'Pakistan needs to unlock immense potential of archaeology'

Farzand Masih

LAHORE

Pakistan rightfully takes pride in being the custodian of one of the world’s most advanced and ancient civilisations―the Indus Valley Civilisation. Not only does it represent the largest and most sophisticated of its kind in the ancient world, it also serves as a cornerstone in our understanding of early urbanism, trade, and technological innovation.

Sir John Marshall, credited with the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation, played a key role in establishing its historical significance. Equally significant were the contributions of Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni and Rakhal Das Banerji. Their excavations at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa uncovered key archaeological evidence, shaping our understanding of the civilisation.

After the partition of India in 1947, Pakistan inherited many important archaeological sites, including Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. Initially, however, it lacked a formal governmental structure dedicated solely to archaeology. The ministry of education and culture took on the responsibility of overseeing the protection and management of archaeological sites and museums. However, the absence of a specialised and organised department meant that archaeological work was often fragmented and lacked coherence.

In the absence of a formal department, many early archaeological efforts relied on the support of international missions and foreign scholars. One such mission was the American School of Oriental Research, which played a key role in studying the Indus Valley Civilisation. American archaeologist George F. Dales conducted surveys and excavations at Harappa and along the Makran coast during the 1950s and 1960s. Notably, he excavated Sutka Koh and Sutkagendor, the earliest known seaports of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Dales was actively involved in the interpretation of findings from Harappa and was among the first to propose that the Indus Valley Civilisation had its own script, which remains undeciphered.

The Pakistan government established the department of antiquities in 1956, which later became part of the ministry of education. However, it was not until the creation of the department of archaeology and museums in 1974 that Pakistan witnessed a significant shift towards a more structured approach to archaeology. The department spearheaded several large-scale archaeological surveys and excavations across Pakistan, discovering and documenting ancient sites from the Indus Valley Civilisation. One such site of great significance is Kot Diji in Sindh province. Discovered and excavated by F.A. Khan in 1955, it represented early signs of urbanisation, craft production, and planned settlement around 3000 BCE.

Rehman Dheri, located in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was discovered by Ahmad Hasan Dani, the founder of the archaeology department at Peshawar University, and later excavated by a team of archaeologists led by Farzand Ali Durrani in the 1980s. Like Kot Diji, Rehman Dheri showcased features related to early Harappan phases, confirming the indigenous roots of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

The French Mission, under the leadership of Jean François Jarrige, was instrumental in exploring Balochistan in the late 20th century. He discovered and excavated the famous archaeological site Mehrgarh, which dates back to around 7000 BCE, making it one of the earliest sites of the Neolithic period in the region. This site highlights the cultivation of barley and wheat, the domestication of cattle, and a shift from nomadic to settled lifestyles.

In the 1980s, an Italian archaeological and anthropological mission, led by Valeria Piacentini, conducted an extensive survey in the Makran region. In 1989, while serving as the government representative on this mission, I witnessed the discovery of the first sherd of the Indus Valley Civilisation, found in the natural section of Miri Kalat, just a few kilometres from Turbat. This site was later excavated by Roland Besenval, a renowned archaeologist and team leader of the French Mission, between 2004 and 2006.

Michael Jansen, a renowned German expert, made significant contributions in the 1980s, focusing on the documentation and conservation of Mohenjo-daro. Over the years, the site had suffered due to environmental factors. Jansen's work was very important in documenting the site, preserving the ruins, and stabilising the structures to prevent further deterioration.

Neighbour's pride: Mohenjo-daro main city | Shutterstock

The Harappa excavation project, which provided significant insights into the Indus Valley Civilisation, was initiated by Robert J. Dales in 1966. His work laid the foundation for subsequent research on the site. After his contributions, the excavation and research at Harappa continued under the leadership of Richard Meadow and J.M. Kenoyer, both of whom contributed significantly to the study of the site and the broader Indus Valley Civilisation. Kenoyer’s contributions have been fundamental in understanding Harappan craftsmanship, especially in relation to bead-making, metallurgy and pottery.

Archaeology is being taught in universities across Pakistan, with institutions in all three provinces offering programmes. In Punjab, two universities focus on this field, as do two universities in Sindh and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Notable contributions have come from Peshawar University and Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur. The archaeology department at Punjab University is comparatively young, but has made significant contributions, particularly on one of the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

The department of archaeology at the University of Peshawar, established by A.H. Dani in 1962, is renowned for its significant research, particularly on the site of Rehman Dheri. It is also recognised for the consistent publication of the well-known journal Ancient Pakistan on an annual basis.

Shah Abdul Latif University flourished under the leadership of Nilofar Shaikh. The department has conducted numerous surveys across Sindh province and is especially known for its excavations at the Indus Period mound of Lakhanjo Daro. It used to publish the research journal Ancient Sindh.

The department of archaeology at the University of the Punjab was established in 2004. In 2011, with generous funding from UNESCO, a field survey was conducted in the Cholistan desert. This led to the first-ever detailed documentation of Ganweriwala, the third major city of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Among the rare artefacts recovered was a broken clay tablet, measuring 2cm in length and 1cm in width. On the one side it depicts Lajja Gauri, a Hindu deity, while the other has three well-known graphemes of the Indus script. This discovery marks the first-ever identification of this particular deity in the urban centres of the Indus Valley.

Despite Pakistan being the inheritor of three major urban centres of the Indus Valley Civilisation, the country has produced only one internationally recognised expert, Muhammad Rafique Mughal. His fieldwork along the dry bed of the Hakra River in the Cholistan desert stands as an invaluable resource for future generations. In his advanced years, he recently led an archaeological investigation at Ganweriwala. It is anticipated that his forthcoming report may unveil new insights into the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Pakistan’s department of archaeology and museums has played a crucial role in preserving the country’s cultural heritage, establishing several site museums and overseeing numerous excavations throughout its tenure. However, following the 18th amendment to the constitution of Pakistan in 2010, the role of the federal department of archaeology and museums was confined to Islamabad. As part of this shift, separate departments of archaeology were established in each province, granting them greater control over local archaeological and cultural heritage.

While this constitutional change has had many positive aspects, the field of archaeology and museum management has experienced a noticeable decline. Since the implementation of the amendment, no major archaeological projects have been initiated at the national level. Nonetheless, the role of UNESCO remains vital. In November, UNESCO organised a workshop at Mohenjo-daro, where experts from across the country enhanced their knowledge and skills.

It is hoped that, in the years to come, the provincial departments of archaeology will develop to the level of the federal department of archaeology and museums, enabling more effective care, investigation and preservation of the Indus Valley sites―potentially surpassing the achievements made prior to the 18th amendment.

Finally, I write with great respect and a deep sense of responsibility, drawing on my 37 years of experience in the field, to humbly suggest that greater attention and support be given to the archaeological sector. It is my observation that despite its immense potential, archaeology remains one of the least prioritised fields in both policy and investment.

Dr Farzand Masih is professor & head of department of history & Pakistan studies, Forman Christian College, a Chartered University in Lahore.