Joint Archaeological Research meeting on Basha ancient rock carvings held

ISLAMABAD, Jun. 25 (Gwadar Pro) - “Chinese civilization has been enriched by interactions with other civilizations such as interaction with Islamic civilization, Buddhism, and Western civilization,” Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said at the joint Archaeological research meeting on Basha ancient rock carvings which was held in Islamabad on Thursday.

Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) has organized the meeting with the participation of Chinese and Pakistani archeologists. Prof. Li Xiguang, Eminent Chinese Scholar presided over the meeting which discussed ways to protect and preserve important rock carvings and inscriptions at Basha ranging from the 7th millennium B.C. to the 16th century A.D. via 3-D scanning, documentation, replication, and relocation.

According to Sayed, the first example of connectivity in this region was the Silk Route, 2000 years ago which was the real example of globalization, with China leading the way. “We are very happy that the silk route has now been revived by the Belt and Road Initiative, which is the most important diplomatic and developmental initiative of the 21st century,” Mr. Sayed said.

Mr. Sayed said that through the efforts of Prof. Li Xiguang’s team and PCI, they were enduring to recapture the historical heritage that unites China with Pakistan and the broader region.

Professor Ghani Ur Rehman of Quaid e Azam University Islamabad discussed the feasible suggestions for the protection of Buddhist rock art and inscriptions in the upper reaches of the Indus River. He said that the preservation of the rock carvings would not only give a glimpse of the history of various people with social, and cultural differences and political traditions as well as religious beliefs but are also of strategic importance to the region.

The experts also discussed the protective treatment planned to be applied for important carved rock surfaces in the water reservoir drawdown band in addition to the on-site protective mitigation through barriers, screens, signage, bracing, etc.