LARKANA: The head of a four-member delegation of archaeologists from Spain and Italy, Prof Marko Mandella, has said that the collaboration between Aror University, (Sukkur) and the University of Pompeu Fabra, Spain, is a significant step towards global promotion of Sindh’s heritage.

The foreign guest said during a visit to Mohenjo Daro the other day that it would not only enhance their understanding of the past but also foster academic cooperation between different cultures and institutions.

Dean of Faculty of Architecture at Aror University, Dr Prof Javaria Shaikh, said that Prof Mandella, a renowned figure in the field of archaeology, was leading a collaborative archaeological excavation team that had ventured into Sindh. This collaboration marked a significant milestone in pursuit of archaeological knowledge and preservation of heritage in the region, she said.

She said the team, which went round different parts of Mohenjo Daro and museum, was currently busy in exploration and excavation at the archaeological site of Mungli, locally known as Mai Mangli jo Muqam near Gartal in Khirthar range close to Qambar town.

Italian-Spanish team continues exploration at Mohenjo Daro and Qambar-Shahdadkot, set to extend work in Ghotki

The first phase of the excavation would be completed in the last week of December, said Dr Javeria, adding that the partnership was aimed at developing new insights into the area’s past and “deepen our understanding of its historical significance”.

She said that before starting the excavation, Prof Mandella gave a general lecture for the students of archaeology and history at Aror University, shedding light on the importance of archaeology and its reciprocal relationship with other academic programmes offered by the university. He explained how these diverse programmes aligned and collaborated to promote heritage of the vicinity in global context, she said.

Prof Mandella expressed his enthusiasm at the collaboration between Aror University and the University of Pompeu Fabra, stating: “This partnership not only enhances our understanding of the past but also fosters academic cooperation between different cultures and institutions”.

Dr Javeria said that the Sindh culture department had given licence for excavation at another site in Ghotki besides Mungli in Qambar-Shahdadkot district where the foreign experts’ team had been working for the last 20 days.

She said that a lecturer at the department of archaeology in Aror University, Amin Chandio, accompanied the delegation to Mohenjo Daro.

Prof Mandella had first visited the ruins in 1990 and also attended conferences at the site in 2017 and 2020, said a source in the department of archaeology.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2023