400 Buddhist antiquities discovered in Swabi

• Directorate of Archeology and Museums discovers a record number of antiquities of 400 Buddhist monuments.
• Recent excavation has been reckoned as the largest number of antiques.
• Artefacts belonging to the Buddhist civilisation were recovered in a large quantity.

ISLAMABAD: The Directorate of Archeology and Museums (DOAM) in an unprecedented excavation has discovered a record number of antiquities of 400 Buddhist monuments of different categories from a single site in village Babu Dehri of Swabi District.

The recent excavation has been reckoned as the largest number of antiques. Artefacts belonging to the Buddhist civilisation were recovered in a large quantity which was a big success in the archaeological history of the province, an official of the DOAM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa told APP while announcing the mega-development in archaeological studies made by the department.

Besides, the discovery of a large number of artefacts from a single location, comprising around 400 monuments a large stupa was also unearthed from the site which was a big feat and considered the largest discovery of the province, he added.

The excavation, the official said, was started on scientific grounds around six months earlier and the hard work of his team members resulted in making the big achievement of discovering hundreds of antiques and a stupa.

The department, he said, received reports about the archaeological richness of the site as illegal digging was taking place there time and again.

The archaeology department, he continued, has now started work on preserving the site for its opening to international tourists to promote religious tourism.