ISLAMABAD: The Department of Archeology and Museums (DoAM), National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH) Division will resume a survey of archaeological sites, which was earlier halted due to unavailability of funds, in the federal capital by December.
The first-ever archaeological survey in the country was initiated by DoAM to find potential sites in five zones of Islamabad for purposes of excavation, preservation and documentation so that precious heritage could be saved for future generations.
“The project of conducting the survey at the cost of Rs2 million was approved by National Fund for Cultural Heritage (NFCH) to address the threat to endangered sites and monuments due to climate changes and construction,” DoAM Assistant Director (AD) Mahmood-ul-Hassan informed while talking to APP.
The team of archaeological experts from DoAM has so far identified 30 ancient archaeological sites and monuments in Zone IV of the Capital using funds worth Rs1 million released at the time of the project’s commencement.
The survey, which had been paused after the utilisation of the whole amount, is starting after the acquisition of the remaining Rs1 million which will be utilised for further survey work and publication of identified sites.
Mahmood-ul-Hassan said that the objective behind the survey is to conserve endangered archaeological sites and monuments.
The team, conducting the survey, is comprised of archaeological experts, photographers, draftsmen and other staff members. All team members are recording the details of the sites for documentation and finding potential sites for excavation.
The DoAM AD said that the discoveries so far explored within Zone IV include historical monuments, pre-partition worship places of the Sikhs, mosques of the Mughal period, remains of the Buddhist period and a memorial of the British period wars.