THATTA: A five-member team of experts, including archaeologists and academicians, on Monday visited the recently discovered cave that has attracted attention of history buffs and those having special interests in historical places, monuments and antiquities.

Eminent historian, Dr Muhammad Ali Manjhi, who is a former director of culture and tourism department and is currently serving as the chairman of the Sindhi Language Authority, along with director of the archaeology department Abdul Fatah Shaikh, minutely examined the outer and inner structure of the cave found in the mountain locally known as ‘Maroo Jabal’ in the hilly terrain of Jungshahi, Kohistan.

The cave was discovered during laying of a pipeline for the K-IV water supply project. Labourers were digging a trench for the pipeline through the mountain when they noticed that falling of stones and earth down the mountain was exposing huge cavity within it. Curiosity led them into the cavity and they realised that it was actually a cave.

The discovery pulled a crowed of local people and made the department of culture, tourism and antiquities to consult experts.

Thatta Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Usman Tanveer told Dawn on Monday that he was in a constant touch with the team and intended to invite geologists as well to examine the site and conduct a study.

The team was formed and assigned the task of collecting facts about the cave.

Meanwhile, security guards have been deployed at site to ensure that no damage was done to the cave by visiting crowds.

Dr Manjhi, in his comment after visiting the cave said it would be premature to establish a connection between the cave and a civilisation of the past. Giving their impression, the team members said it was a deep cave that leads an entrant to distant place. It seems natural and probably has some sort of structure deep down the mountain, according to them. “It’s definitely a site of geological importance,” they said. He recommended a study of the site and said facts should be collected about the cave’s life to establish its historical value.

Archaeologists Zahida Qazi, Engineer Sarfaraz Jatoi and Makli Necropolis curator were the other members of the team who examined the site.

The Maroo Jabal is located in the Khirthar mountain range through the Kohistan region.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2021