Older than you think: Bhamala could date back to 3 CE

[farhan_9909]

Recent excavation at Bhamala Buddhist Archaeological Complex near Khanpur reveals some relics found at the ancient site could date back to the 3rd century CE. This contradicts John Marshal’s claim from 1930 which dates the site to the 12th century CE.

Recently discovered Buddha heads were made out of baked soil in the third century, according to the findings of archaeologists excavating the complex in Haripur district.

The research was conducted by Hazara University with the help of foreign experts. It was headed by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Director of Archaeology and Museums Dr Abdul Samad.

He told The Express Tribune precious coins from the Kushan period were unearthed around the stupa. “This ruined stupa has been selected for the excavation because it is totally different from others in our region,” Samad said. “It is cross shaped and looks like an Aztec Pyramid. Such constructions were previously found only in Kashmir.”

Universities from the US and United Kingdom have expressed their interest in doing research on the ancient site in order to build a historical profile of the place.

The Bhamala UNESCO world heritage site was first excavated in 1930. It was estimated at the time that the site dated back to the 12th century.

According to the director, archaeologists, conservators, diggers, and treasure hunters took part in the Bhamala site excavation.

Samad spoke about the training and capacity-building programme for students and the field training school in Bhamala for staffers. The aim is to educate archaeological excavators on the latest techniques and methods. Samad said the capacity-building training programme is four months long. More than 50 participants, including students from various educational institutes, took part in said training. The 50 or so field staffers included draftsmen, conservation assistants, photographers and students of archaeology.

The director said the programme will continue over the coming months at the field training school.

Older than you think: Bhamala could date back to 3 CE – The Express Tribune

 

[dil_dil]

Some pics

Buddhist sculptures discovered near Khanpur
December 27, 2014
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Our Staff Reporter


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PESHAWAR - Archaeologists have discovered Buddhist sculptures and heads dating back to 2nd-5th century BC during the ongoing excavation at Buddhist stupa, known as Bhamala Buddhist Complex, situated near Khanpur area of district Haripur.
According to Director Archaeology and Museums Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Abdul Samad, the sculptures and heads dating back to 2nd-5th century BC have been discovered during excavation initiated at the Buddhist stupa. Besides, he said, during excavation, precious coins of Kushan period were also unearthed around the stupa.
Dr Samad informed that Bhamala archaeological site declared as national and world heritage site located near Khanpur Dam in Haripur. He said the ruins dating back to 4th century BC. He said the Bhamala World Heritage site was partially excavated in early 1930 by Sir Jan Marshal. Now, he added that the excavation work at the archaeological site reinitiated by Hazara University Manshera.

 

[Umair Nawaz]

So ancient Pakistan is way more old then we think.

 

[Kompromat]

We are one of the cradles of civilization.

 

[marbella]

since how long is southasia inhabited?

 

[salarsikander]

We are one of the cradles of civilization.

Hi Sir,
With all due to respect (and pain) we lack still the makings of great nations such as Perisans, Japanese or Romans

 

[Whirling_dervesh]

with all due respect sir, indus valley civilisation and mehrgarh are older and just as important

 

[dil_dil]

with all due respect sir, indus valley civilisation and mehrgarh are older and just as important

This is not the point, before it was believed Bhamala bhudist complex was 800 years old, but now it seem like around 1500 years old.

 

[Wolfhound]

Great find! I hope we find more places to excavate ancient artifacts from.

 

[Levina]

I had read a similar report almost an year back... why I remember it was because

The Dreamcatchers: Archaeologists strike the spade to unravel Bhamala’s secrets – The Express Tribune

Btw I think this is the wrong section to post this thread.

 

[ghoul]

The whole northern Punjab+KPK+south eastern Afghanistan+Hindu Kush+Kabul was formerly called "Gandhara". The modern word "Kandahar" comes from the same root. The region is very ancient. At one point in time, budhism was the supreme religion of the region but then Hinduism made strong advances under the Hindu Shahi dynasty which took over the region.

Contrary to the popular belief, a majority of northern Pakistanis are buddhist converts rather than "hindu converts". Buddhism was practiced as far as Ghaur in Afghanistan, where the ruling family("Ghurids") was forcibly converted to Islam by Mahmud of Ghazni.

 

[SrNair]

The whole northern Punjab+KPK+south eastern Afghanistan+Hindu Kush+Kabul was formerly called "Gandhara". The modern word "Kandahar" comes from the same root. The region is very ancient. At one point in time, budhism was the supreme religion of the region but then Hinduism made strong advances under the Hindu Shahi dynasty which took over the region.

Contrary to the popular belief, a majority of northern Pakistanis are buddhist converts rather than "hindu converts". Buddhism was practiced as far as Ghaur in Afghanistan, where the ruling family("Ghurids") was forcibly converted to Islam by Mahmud of Ghazni.

Gandhara.Yes I have heard that name in Mahabharata.
Queen of Dritharashtra ,Gandhari was a princess from Gandhara.Her brother ,Sakuni was the king of Gandhara during the Mahabharata war.

 

[Whirling_dervesh]

This is not the point, before it was believed Bhamala bhudist complex was 800 years old, but now it seem like around 1500 years old.

I was referring to salarsikander, who was in denial of the true greatness of our antiquity

Interestingly gandhara or gandharans we're referred to as melechas (impure, outsiders) and out of the fold of sanatan dharma. Quite clear those people were a separate entity even then