PESHAWAR: Thirty thousand years old 110 sites, including some of Buddhist importance, have been discovered by archaeological department in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Political Agent Khyber Khalid Mehmood told reporters that discoveries have been made by archaeological department with the help of Political Administration and Pakistan Army.
He also said that the survey also disclosed eight sites of significant Buddhist importance.
The archaeological survey was completed in tehsil Jamrud of Khyber Agency within a period of 75 days that resulted in discovery of thirty thousand years old 110 ancient sites.
A variety of relics including images and paintings carved on stones were found in the sites.
The remnant of mosques, forts, gallows, tunnels and other buildings of Ameer Taimur period were discovered from the sites during excavation.
“Surveys were also conducted in these areas during British rule but they failed to achieve any success. Though deep excavation has not been conducted but we discovered sites with the evidence having historic value of thirty thousand years,” Mehmood said.
It is a major achievement that would help boost economic and tourism activities in tribal areas. Efforts are underway to establish archaeology department in FATA Secretariat.
An archaeologist said that in past militancy hindered our efforts to conduct archaeological survey in FATA. He said that it is our utmost desire to excavate more sites in FATA with the help of political administration for identifying Buddhist relics besides establishing museums in these areas. (AGENCIES)
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