ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYS OF WAZIRISTAN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO OUR UNDERSTANDING

Abstract

Very less has been written on the archaeology of Waziristan. The aim of this research article
is to explore the archaeological sites in Waziristan and draw the attention of government
towards the hidden treasures of Waziristan that had been surveyed by Sir Aurel Stein in 1926
1927 and Ahmad Hassan Dani in 1966. Afterwards, no attention has been paid so far to this
region by any government department. If government or any foreign archaeological mission
starts the initiation, it is sure that the step would bring positive impacts on the area and its
inhabitants. These archaeological sites have tremendous potential to attract tourists from
abroad that can be an economic drive for creating alternate livelihood opportunity for local
people and will contribute in uplifting the social wellbeing of inhabitants. Such positive
intervention will positively impact overall law and order situation in the area that can
accelerate peace process in the region. If this region gets the opportunity to be explored than
it would be a great milestone in the history of Pakistan’s Archaeology in particular and Asian
in general.