ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: Experts on the concluding day of conference on cultural heritage issues in Pakistan on Saturday called for proper documentation and conservation of historical monuments in Multan. Presenting their reading paper, Salimul Haq and Maqsood Malik from the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Lahore, said the department’s project to document the diversified architectural heritage of Multan has prepared a master plan to conserve and preserve this heritage.

Some 53 protected and unprotected monuments were selected for complete documentation, including topographical and condition survey, they said.

They said all monuments have now been documented with estimated cost required for their conservation, adding funds were needed to implement the plan.

Dr Asma Ibrahim, director State Bank Museum and Art Gallery Department, highlighted the process of converting a historical building into a museum. She discussed the preventive conservation of the original building design and construction materials and the details of measures to control indoor climate of the building, including the introduction of museum galleries.

Humera Alam, director Lahore Museum, presented a research paper on “Preservation and Conservation of Artefacts at the Lahore Museum: Problems and Solutions”. She said the Lahore Museum encompassed more than 150 years and three remarkable buildings—the Baradari of Wazir Khan (from 1855-1864), Tolington Market (1864-1893) and the current Museum building since 1893.

“The Lahore Museum environment includes many areas of risk ranging from dust pollution, rainwater, leakage and seepage in the building, termite and other pests, uncontrolled relative humidity (RH), fire protection, security and below standard display and storage,” the director said.

Dr Badshah Sardar from the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) presented a research paper on “Rock Art in Swat Valley: Documentation and Conservation”.

He said the archaeological relics from Swat sites bear testimony of its cultural relations with the East and West. He said some 400 sites from palaeolithic to medieval time have been explored. Fifty Buddhist sites have been excavated and 100 rocks have been documented, he said, adding that 40 painted rock shelters of Bronze Age to historic period have also been documented.

He said the Buddhist period of the Swat valley was under threat from the Taliban. Highlighting the Buddhist period treasury and the cultural wealth of area, he also discussed damage caused by militants since 2006.

Dr. Michel Meister, of the University of Pennsylvania, presented a research paper on “Continuities of Architectural Heritage in the Northwestern Regions of Pakistan”.

Muhammad Hassan, curator Harappa Museum, presented research paper on “Tibba Sangarwala, Kamalia; Recent Excavations and Site Protection”.

Mohammad Safdar Khan and Mohammad Farooq, Department of Conservation Studies, Hazara University, Mansehra spoke on conservation issues in Pakistan. — APP