ISLAMABAD: From roughly 150 antiquities, the Islamabad Museum now boasts some 350 items of historic significance, more than of half of which have been handed over by customs departments that have intercepted such pieces from being smuggled out of Pakistan over the years.

At the centre of a large exhibition space in the museum sits an open-mouthed wine bowl in pure gold that dates back to 200-100 BC, embossed with the image of the Greek god of wine.

The origin of the discovery is not known, but the item was handed over to the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) a few months ago by customs. The wine bowl is the second of its kind.

According to archaeology experts, the bowl is decorated with embossed winged lions and acanthus leaves.

“In the center of the bowl is the head of the bearded Greek god Bacchus, who taught people the art of making wine,” said an official in the Ministry of Heritage.

Other new additions to the museum are coins with ancient punch parks and no text, marking the period from the day coins started in this region down to the Sikh and British period (19th century), winking under artificial lighting.

Coins from the Mauryan Empire (317 to 200 BC), the Greek period, Kushan Dynasty, from the Mughals such as Akbar to later Mughals like Mohammad Shah and to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, all are evidence of dozens of lost cultures.

In the far walls, inside new glass showcases, clay pottery from the Nal Culture from 3,500 BC to 2,600 BC sit on shelves to be admired by visitors. “The human figures, geometric patterns, and the images of bulls highlight the importance of power and agriculture back in those days,” the official explained.

Among the several other additions is the Lewis Machine Gun made by British Small Arms used in the two world wars. The gun was handed down by the British before they left the subcontinent.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2018