In an ongoing excavation being carried out by Italian archaeologists in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, a 1200-year-old temple has recently been discovered. The temple is among the eight ancient sites unearthed in Barikot (ancient Bazira), Swat, during the excavation being carried out by the Italian archaeologists in collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archaeology. The sites lie in a stretch between Swat and Taxila.
As per reports, the Director of the Italian Archaeological Mission, Dr Luca, said that ruins of a small temple were excavated during the excavation. He said that the excavation site has been expanded toward the Swat River to create a protective buffer zone around the temple and adjoining archaeological layers.
The excavation work is being undertaken as part of the “Khyber Path Project”, a three-year initiative meant to provide employment opportunities and hands-on training in excavation, preservation and heritage management. The project commenced on 1st June to promote regional development, professional capacity building and tourism in the province. The excavation is being carried out at multiple locations. Some initial studies reportedly suggest these sites have been inhabited continually since prehistoric times through the Islamic period. One of the discovered sites is a fort which is said to date back to the Ghaziabad era.
Around 50 sites have reportedly been discovered by the Italian archaeologists across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These sites belong to different historical periods, including Stone Age through the periods of Alexander the Great, Buddhism, the Hindu Shahi dynasty, the Greek era, and the early Islamic period. Some sites from the Buddhist period have also been discovered in the Tokardara area of the Swat district.
The findings include several statues of Buddha and a monumental stupa. Experts confirm that the site served as a place of worship and a monastery for Buddhist followers, where students also resided and received their education.
