PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archaeology and Museums on Thursday opened the ‘domical’ stylised shed over a trench and diorama at the historic Gor Khatri site in addition to a display centre, information technology unit and archaeological gallery.
Adviser to the chief minister for archaeology Amjad Afridi was the chief guest during a ceremony at the Gor Khatri archaeological complex.
PTI MPA Shaukat Yousafzai, archaeology and museum director Dr Abdul Samad and other relevant officials were also in attendance.
Dr Abdul Samad told participants that the step had been taken to preserve the archaeological site, where archaeologists had dug up a 44 feet deep trench.
He said layers of earth removed during excavation showed that the city’s history dated back to 2,500 years.
The archaeology director said in initial phase, the site was preserved by installation of a shed over trench.
“It will serve as an open museum, while different layers of earth from where discoveries belonging to particular period were made will be tagged,” he said.
Dr Abdul Samad said discovered layers were from the times of British, Sikh, Durrani, Mughal, Sultanate, Hindu Shahis, White Huns, Kushans, Sassanids and Parthians and that the relics found from there included glazed pottery, utensils, toys, grinding stones and over 40 coins, which were on display at Peshawar Museum.
He said the establishment of display centre, archaeological gallery and IT unit would lead to modernisation of archaeology gallery and that it would help display culture, traditions and works of artisans in a befitting manner.
Tourism and archaeology secretary Azam Khan said a strategy had been developed for the promotion and preservation of archaeological sites, while steps were being taken to ‘re-energise’ tourism, sports, and youth activities in the province.
“We are making all-out efforts to promote our rich traditions, culture, importantly old heritage and archaeological sites,” he said. Amjad Afridi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the country’s only province, where a number of initiatives had been taken regarding archaeology.
He said the government was committed to preserving archaeological sites under a comprehensive strategy and that work at Gor Khatri Archaeological Complex was part of it.
The adviser said a family park would be built at Gor Khatri , while the wedding hall established illegally would be vacated.
He said the government had planned to establish new museums in Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat and Abbottabad.
Published in Dawn October 9th, 2015
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