92 new Buddhist sites found in Malakand

Pakistan Link, June 18, 2005

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- Malakand region of Pakistan?s northern belt is rich in cultural heritage with over a thousand of archaeological sites, says a survey report conducted by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums.

Malakand with a total area of 952 square kilometres, abounds in archaeological sites.

The survey team has so far recorded 92 new sites, visiting the area around a dozen villages including Landakay, Gat Kotay, Jalala, Haibatgram,Thana, Nul, Gunyar and Mehzara, covering almost one-fifth of the area of Malakand region.

The discovered sites include Gandahara Grave, Buddhist Monasteries, Stupas, Rock Paintings and Hindu Shahi Period remains.

The Buddhist sites include stone structures diaper and ashier masonry, which continued from Kushanas to the Hindu Shahi Period. Paintings on the rocks show Stupa models, human and animal representation.

The survey has not yet been completed and is in progress, expected to add a huge volume of information to the archaeological history of Malakand Agency.
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