KHAIRPUR, Jan 1: Archaeology is an effective and long-lasting source of bringing world communities closer as history, culture and civilizations are inter-related. This was stated by the vice-chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University, Dr Abdul Raheem Malik, here on Thursday.

Addressing the concluding session of a three-day International Conference on Pakistan Archaeology organized by the Department of Archaeology, SALU, he said that research would greatly contribute towards achieving positive results.

He opined that holding of such conferences, exchange of views, interaction and reciprocation of research was the need of the hour and added that publication of deliberations besides transmission of knowledge through the media would play a vital role in this regard.

Former director-general, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Dr Ahmed Nabi Khan, termed archaeology the mother goddess of all sources of knowledge and also stressed on the need to preserve archaeological monuments.

Earlier, two sessions were held in which eminent scholars and archaeologists from Pakistan, India, US and Japan expressed their views on various aspects of archaeology.

Prof J. M. Kenoyer of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, US, while presenting his research paper on "Regional Cultures and Chronologies of the Indus Civilizations: New Perspectives from Harappa" on the second day of the conference, said coins were first introduced in Harappa besides silk cloths and not in Europe as thought earlier, adding that Harappa dated back some five to six thousand years.

M. H. Panhwar said the civilization of Moenjodaro was based on winter crop system and claimed that even before flow of the River Indus, crops in this region were cultivated following rains.

Kaleem Lashari said a new type of calligraphy inscribed on graves were discovered in Sindh. At the concluding session, the convener of the conference and chairperson, Department of Archaeology, Prof Dr Nilofer Shaikh, thanked the delegates for their participation.

Earlier, excursion tours of Kot Diji fort, Sadh Belo and Moenjodaro were arranged by the university authorities for the delegates and scholars while a souvenir was also brought out on the concluding day. Later, shields were distributed among the participants and organizers of the conference.