Talking rocks in danger

Dawn.com Published May 18, 2011
A simple and beautiful representation of Buddha, discovered at Thalpan area.
A simple and beautiful representation of Buddha, discovered at Thalpan area.
This veneration of Stupa was discovered from Chilas area and belongs to 1st to 2nd century A.D.
This veneration of Stupa was discovered from Chilas area and belongs to 1st to 2nd century A.D.
The new symbols of the Sun and the Axe appeared in the last era of Buddhism. Both Sun and Axe were the symbol of power of the times.
The new symbols of the Sun and the Axe appeared in the last era of Buddhism. Both Sun and Axe were the symbol of power of the times.
In the first millennium B.C., a new ethnic group came to the upper Indus region and carved mythological animals on rocks.
In the first millennium B.C., a new ethnic group came to the upper Indus region and carved mythological animals on rocks.
This carving was discovered from the Thalpan area which shows a Persian man with a sacrificial animal.
This carving was discovered from the Thalpan area which shows a Persian man with a sacrificial animal.
Another group of mythological animals and Persian men shows the Persian influence in the area.
Another group of mythological animals and Persian men shows the Persian influence in the area.
Another masterpiece carving of the Buddhist era with Stupas and writings in three different languages of Kharoshti , Brahmi and Sogdian.
Another masterpiece carving of the Buddhist era with Stupas and writings in three different languages of Kharoshti , Brahmi and Sogdian.
The outlines of prehistoric carvings, especially of giants, hands, and feet are still an enigma for historians. Drawings of animals, such as Ibex and Blue Sheep comprised two-third of the entire engravings.
The outlines of prehistoric carvings, especially of giants, hands, and feet are still an enigma for historians. Drawings of animals, such as Ibex and Blue Sheep comprised two-third of the entire engravings.
A beautiful carving of Markhor discovered from Oshibat area.
A beautiful carving of Markhor discovered from Oshibat area.
Some 5000 inscriptions or writings have been discovered from the upper Indus area. Their study provides an insight of ancient languages and history of the region. In this image different scripts can be seen:1: Karosthi2: Brahmi3: Brahmi4: Proto-Sarada5: Sogdian6: Middle-Persian7: Partian8: Bactrian9: Chinese10: Hebrew11: Syrian12: Tibetan
Some 5000 inscriptions or writings have been discovered from the upper Indus area. Their study provides an insight of ancient languages and history of the region. In this image different scripts can be seen:1: Karosthi2: Brahmi3: Brahmi4: Proto-Sarada5: Sogdian6: Middle-Persian7: Partian8: Bactrian9: Chinese10: Hebrew11: Syrian12: Tibetan

Pakistan is going to lose one of the most precious rock art carvings due to construction of the Diamer-Basha Dam. The proposed site of the dam hosts some 30,000 ancient art carvings and inscriptions which may vanish forever due to the construction of this reservoir.

Some of the carvings and inscriptions are more than 10,000 years old which provide a window to discover ancient lexicography, history, anthropology, culture and lifestyle of the people settled in the upper Indus area.

There is an urgent need to preserve these sites so that they remain a part of world heritage. – Photos courtesy by Harald Hauptmann / Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Germany.

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Comments (2) Closed
ali
May 18, 2011 08:17pm
we need electricity even we have to loose these things !
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S.Bukhari
May 22, 2011 02:48pm
The world heritage & Gov of Pak must act immediately to save these ancient sites which is very important part of our history: best is to relocate to a safer place. Most ppl in Pak do not understand & care about our past & libe in present. Dams must be build but not at the cost of this but to safeguard interest of all.
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