SWAT: International tourists and heritage lovers said here on Sunday that Swat was one of the most important sites for the students of Buddhist history and art.

The students of Buddhist art and archaeology from the universities of Italy and the United States visited Swat to see different heritage sites and participate in excavation along with senior archaeologists.

Alice Casalini, a PhD scholar at University of Chicago, the US, who was part of the excavation in Bazira Barikot, said that she loved Swat for different reasons. “Swat has rich archaeology, especially Buddhist archaeology and art. I visited several Buddhist monuments, which are amazing,” she told Dawn. She added that she was in love with Swat and its rich cultural heritage.

She said that the Bazira was one of the best archaeological sites of the Gandharan civilisation. “For students of Buddhist art and archaeology in the world, Swat must be the top priority to visit,” she said and added that she would love to visit the valley again and again.

Scholars from US and Italy term experience of excavation amazing

The international students said that visiting the heritage sites in Swat was the dream of every student of Buddhist art and history because the valley remained the centre of Buddhist archaeology.

Michela Prota, a student at University of Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Italy, who was part of the group, said that she studied Gandharan and Buddhist archaeology and also learnt Chinese, Urdu and Hindi language.

“Swat valley is not only rich in cultural heritage, but it is amazingly scenic too. Above all, the people of this area are very kind and hospitable. I have a great time here. I wish to come back here,” she said. She added that she learnt Pashto and got an opportunity to improve her Urdu.

Martina Caprioli, another student from Italy, said that she visited Swat with other students to study archaeology. “I am interested in Buddhist art, for which Swat is one of the best places in the world. It is good to learn archaeology through the field experience. Learning about Buddhist archaeology and art is interesting here,” she said. She added that the people of Swat were helpful and cooperative.

She said that she liked environment in Swat. She advised the students of Buddhist art and archaeology to visit Swat for true learning.

The students of archaeology at Swat University also said that they were lucky because they were not limited to study theory in the classroom but had an opportunity to participate in excavation of archaeological sites.

“It is important for archaeology student to participate in field work. We are glad that the Italian Archaeological Mission led by Dr Luca Maria Oliveri gives chances to local students to take part in excavation,” said Sohail Khan, a student of Swat University.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2022