THE exploration and excavation branch of Sindh Antiquities Department has inaugurated a pioneering laboratory that is dedicated to the preservation as well as restoration of antiquities and artefact. As someone deeply fascinated by the enriched history and relics of the Indus Valley civilisation, I had concerns about the potential deterioration of artefact unearthed from diverse archaeological sites, but witnessing the technical staff at the laboratory diligently engaged in artefact conservation and cataloguing processes instilled a sense of reassurance.

However, the absence of a crucial radiocarbon dating system is rather disappointing. It is a crucial component when scientifically ascertaining the true history and age of bones and artefact that are discovered at archaeological sites.

The Sindh government should equip the laboratory with a radiocarbon dating facility. In the long run, adopting radiocarbon dating system will not only enhance its uniqueness, but will also significantly augment the laboratory’s productivity and scholarly contribution to our further understanding of antiquities.

Mir Altaf Hussain Talpur
Khairpur

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2024