Preservation of ancient sites falls victim to terrorism: The Dawn, Nov 1

TAXILA, Oct 31: Terrorism, suicide attacks have started taking its toll on excavation and research work on cultural heritage as seven foreign teams of archaeologists and researchers have decided against initiating their projects especially preservation of ancient sites including Buddhist till indefinite period.
Sources in federal department of archaeology and museums have confirmed that seven foreign teams of archeologists and researchers from France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Japan, England and China would not join their excavations, preservation and restoration work due to prevailing security situations in country especially in the NWFP.
While confirming the suspension of the visit of the foreign experts, Bahadur Khan, deputy director federal department of archaeology and museums said despite issuance of NOC to seven foreign teams of researchers, they had refused to begin the work.

Japanese team of researchers was headed by Prof. Masui of NARA University, Koran team by Prof Mon of Dungook Buddhist University Seoul, British team by J.R. Knox of British National Museum, Italian team by Prof Claree of ISAO, US team by Dr Mark Kneyor of Wisconsin University, French team by Dr F.F Jarriage of Jumiet Museum and Germen team by Dr Hupman of Hdelburg University.
Abdul Ghafoor Lone, who looks after the administrative affairs at the federal department of archaeology and museums in Islamabad, when contacted confirmed that foreign delegations of archeology experts would not be visiting Pakistan for excavation and exploration due to law and order situation in Pakistan.
A senior archeologist Mehmoodul Hassan, who leads many excavations teams in different parts of the country especially in Taxila, while talking to this reporter said that these foreign teams were playing key role in excavations, preservation and restoration of ancient sites of cultural importance.
He said earlier such foreign teams had made remarkable discoveries and preservation at Julian-II near Taxila, pre-historic sites at Bunnu, Balochistan and Buddhist sites at Swat valley.
He said that if these teams came here over one dozen sites could be preserved and restored for coming generations.
Ali Gohar, conservation engineer at federal department of archaeology and museum sub regional office at Taxila said that previous experience of working with the foreign teams contributed a lot in cultural heritage and training of Pakistani archaeologists and archaeological engineers. He said the experts of the developed countries had many skills and were equipped with latest and modern tools of the preservation and excavations.

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