Archaeological investigations and their link to heritage in Chitral

Partner Institutes
University of Leicester	Hazara University

Project brief:

Nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Hindu Kush mountains lies the valley of Chitral, famed not only for its natural beauty but also for its unique heritage. A number of ancient archaeological sites dot the area, the study of which could uncover a great deal of new information about the past in Chitral.

Hazara University, Pakistan and the University of Leicester, UK are collaborating to study these sites, hoping to develop better understanding of Chitral’s history and culture. The advanced technology provided by the University of Leicester has led to the location, excavation and documentation of numerous sites. Researchers believe that the data collected can be used to investigate the development and form of many great cultural occurrences in this region, including the spread of Buddhism and Islam and their impact on local cultures. The INSPIRE partnership has the potential to re-write Chitral’s history by exploring many elements of the past in form of archaeological sites and materials.

The project has generated interest at an international level, with its researchers participating in the 20^th European Association of South Asian Archaeology and Art Conference held at the University of Vienna. Bilateral exchange visits have also taken place under the partnership, particularly for planning and data analysis. Another significant outcome of the partnership is the birth of a Journal of Pakistan Heritage; two volumes of which have been published so far.

A further key aspect of this study is the exploration of local attitudes towards heritage and tourism, and consideration of what local residents believe to be important and valuable. This exploration has included the well known Kalash valleys and people, who are the largest non Muslim group in the Hindu Kush, and who are particularly under threat from encroachment and pressures to conform. With the country’s tourism industry in danger of suffering a major blow if the picturesque Chitral valley falls off its radar, it is important that the region receive public attention. The INSPIRE project will play a vital role in protecting the cultural and archaeological heritage of the area.

Lessons learnt: 

The researchers have learnt a lot about the history of Chitral – hitherto only known through oral myth and a few stories about kings and other major (male) figures from the last few centuries.  Compared to the wealth of knowledge for other areas of Pakistan, Chitral has been terribly neglected in terms of understandings of the past, and it is clear that this was a very interesting region over many centuries.

Challenges faced:  

The challenges were mainly to do with security, and the impossibility of foreign team members being able to work in the field (a key element of this archaeological project).  Thanks to the hard work, initiative and determination of Pakistan team members, the UK team was able to carry out training at Hazara and Leicester, and they were able to take these key skills forward into the field, and obtain valuable and unique data.

The impact/benefits of the project:

The project will have a good impact on the local people of Chitral in terms of making them more aware of the value of both their tangible and intangible past. The researchers are continuing to publish their material, which they hope will begin to filter into schools and universities in order to help explain the history of Chitral.

Key contacts

Dr. Ruth Young, University of Leicester 

rly3@le.ac.uk, www2.le.ac.uk/

Dr Abdul Samad, Hazara University

samkhn@hotmail.com, www.hu.edu.pk/