SAHIWAL: The first phase of the excavation at the archaeological site of Ganweriwala in Cholistan has ended after 35 days due to rising temperatures in the desert and the unavailability of local labourers.

This pause is attributed to the ‘wheat harvesting season’ when labourers return to their agricultural areas to harvest wheat.

The excavation, led by renowned archaeologist Dr Rafique Mughal began on Feb 24 and concluded on March 30. Zameer Hussain, the camp manager, informed Dawn by phone that the process of refilling the excavated site is underway and it is expected to be completed within a couple of days.

According to sources, a team of 50 professionals, including three female archaeologists, six interns from three public universities, senior officials from the archaeological department, camera crew and security personnel has departed from the site.

The excavation was conducted by THAAP Heritage in collaboration with the Punjab Department of Archaeology and the Bahawalpur commissioner.

Dr Sajida Vandal, the project lead, THAAP Heritage, saw participation of three young female archaeologists and six students from the Archaeology Department of Balochistan University, Quetta, Punjab University, Lahore, and Islamia University Bahawalpur. A temporary tent compound spanning two acres was set up for the accommodation of archaeologists.

Muhammad Afzal Khan, the former director of the archaeology department, said the 35-day excavation yielded significant findings, including the evidence of separate zones for both settlement and industrial areas.

The excavation would restart when better weather conditions and availability of workers.

Among the interns were Amina Salamat and Uma e Habiba, M.Phil. students from the Department of Archaeology at Punjab University, Lahore, as well as Salman Iqbal and Jahanzeb from the Archaeology Department at Balochistan University, Quetta, and Jam Farhan and Nawazish Ali from the Archaeology Department at Islamia University Bahawalpur.

Additionally, Shah Bano from the Kasur Museum, Saleem ul Haq, Muhammad Afzal Khan, former Director, Muzafer Ahmed, a private archaeologist from Chiniot, and Hasan Khokkar, Director of the Department of Archaeology, Punjab, were among the professional archaeologist team involved in digging at Genweriwala. It is said Zameer Hussain, Camp Manager, managed all logistical, security, and food arrangements while drinking water for the team was provided by the Cholistan Development Authority.

A temporary tent compound spanning two acres was set up for the accommodation of archaeologists and internees. Muhammad Afzal Khan reported that the 35-day excavation had yielded four significant findings: Ganweriwala is the third-largest city of the Harappan Civilization, with no evidence of other civilization elements except those indicative of a pre and late-Harappan site. The site also revealed separate zones for both settlement and industrial areas, and notably, it is a mature Harappan site situated near the banks of the River Hakara. Additionally, personnel from the Wildlife Department, Bahawalpur, and security guards from Abu Dhabi Palace occasionally visited the temporary tent city erected near the two mounds of the Ganweriwala site.

It is important to note that Genweriwala was discovered by Dr Rafiq Mughal, Professor of Emeritus, at Boston University, USA in the 1980s. Ganweriwala is the least excavated of the five largest known ancient Indus cities – Mohenjo-daro and Dholavira, Harappa and Rakigarhi. It is located deep in the Cholistan desert, far from any towns and close to the International border, it has hardly ever been written about until Farzand Masih’s article Ganweriwala – A new Perspective published in Walking with the Unicorn (2018). The Genweriwala spreads ar 80 hectares having two mounds in the middle of Cholistan.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2024