In a groundbreaking discovery, international and national archaeologists have uncovered a pre-Buddhist sacred monument dating back to the 4th century BC during recent excavations in the Bazira Barikot area of the district. The Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan (ISMEO and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice), led by Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri, collaborated with Dr. Abdul Samad and the Department of Archaeology and Museums Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (DOAM KP) along with students from local universities and Jahanzeb College.
The monument, believed to have originated around a natural sacred space associated with elements like a spring, Naga shrine, or sacred tree, underwent significant transformations during the first wave of Buddhism’s spread in Gandhara in the 3rd century BC. Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri explained, “The celebrated inscriptions by Ashoka and evidence from the boulders of Mansehra and Shahbaz-Garhi reveal the conversion of the pre-Buddhist shrine into a Buddhist temple during Ashoka’s era.”
The archaeological journey through time revealed multiple modifications, including the construction of an Indian-style stupa outside the temple entrance, alterations by the Indo-Greeks, and the addition of a vault by the Odiraja rulers in the mid-1st century BC. Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri emphasized the monument’s continued use with various adaptations until the 4th century AD.
Radiocarbon dating supported the chronological timeline of these transformations, offering a rare glimpse into Gandhara’s religious and architectural evolution. Dr. Luca stated, “This remarkable journey through time, meticulously unveiled by modern archaeological techniques, enriches our understanding of Swat’s cultural tapestry.”
The Italian archaeologists have been working in Bazira Barikot since 1987, unraveling various phases of history and civilizations. The focus on the terraces of Bazira’s acropolis promises to rewrite Swat’s historical narrative. Dr. Luca mentioned, “Venturing into the lower city, we are set to unravel the intricacies of urban planning, providing insights into the layout that once echoed the hustle and bustle of ancient life.”
The team has also delved into geological epochs, studying late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits at the Barikot site, revealing climatic nuances and suggesting a radical shift in understanding local geography. Dr. Luca shared that forthcoming excavation reports for 2022-2023, anticipated next June, were poised to deepen their understanding of Swat’s rich history.
As the sands of time continue to reveal their secrets, Barikot stands as a beacon of exploration, rewriting the annals of Swat’s past with each careful excavation.
