PESHAWAR: The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has launched a capacity building programme at Bhamala, a world heritage site in Khanpur, to impart training to archaeological excavators regarding latest techniques and modern methods of excavation.

The training programme was designed to build the capacity of fi eld training staff about the modern techniques of excavation, said Dr Abdul Samad, the director of archaeology and museums.

In a statement here on Sunday, he said that the four-month capacity building training was imparted to more than 50 fi eld staffers, mostly archaeologists, conservators, draftsmen, conservation assistants, photographers and students of archaeology from various educational institutions.

Bhamala Stupa is a ruined Buddhist site and National Heritage Site near Haripur. The stupa is different from other ones found in Gandhara. The ruins date back to 4th century.

The ruins are situated near Khanpur Dam. The stupa is cross-shaped and looks like an Aztec Pyramid.

The site of Bhamala Stupa, also known as Bhamala Buddhist Complex, was fi rst excavated by Sir John Marshal the late 1920’s and early 1930’s.

Dr Samad said the Bhamala World Heritage site was partially excavated in early 1930 by Sir John Marshal. “Now excavation work at the archaeological site has been fully initiated by the Hazara University, Manshera,” he added.

Dr Samad told the opening ceremony of the training programme that the programme would be benefi cial for fi eld staff to bring excavation of archaeological heritages to international standard with applying modern techniques and means.

The director asked the participants to fully concentrate on the training. He urged them to apply whatever they would learn from the comprehensive capacity building programme in their professional duty.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2014