List of archaeological sites in Pakistan explained
Pakistan is home to many archaeological sites dating from Lower Paleolithic period to Mughal empire. The earliest known archaeological findings belong to the Soanian culture from the Soan Valley, near modern-day Islamabad. Soan Valley culture is considered as the best known Palaeolithic culture of Central Asia.[1] Mehrgarh in Balochistan is one of the most important Neolithic sites dating from 7000 BCE to 2000 BCE. The Mehrgarh culture was amongst the first culture in the world to establish agriculture and livestock and live in villages.[2] Mehrgarh civilization lasted for 5000 years till 2000 BCE after which people migrated to other areas, possibly Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.[2] Harappa and Mohenjo-daro are the best known sites from the Indus Valley civilization (c 2500 - 1900 BCE).[3]
Pre-Soanian culture in Pakistan corresponds to Oldowan culture dating back to the Mindel glaciation. Some findings in Punjab belong to this period.[4]
Early Soanian sites correspond to the Acheulean period. Different stone artifacts have been discovered from these sites from all over Pakistan.[4] Sites in Soan Valley and Potohar Plateau from this period include;[5]
Mehrgarh (c. 7000 BCE - 2000 BCE), from Neolithic age, in Balochistan is one of the earliest sites with evidence of agriculture and village structure.[2]
Ghaggar-Hakra (c. 6000 BCE) Artifacts Found in Hakra Civilization also date back to the same period of Mehrgarh.
- Pre HarappaPre-Harappan farming communities date back to Neolithic time which ultimately evolved into urban Harappan civilization.[6] [7] Explorations and archaeological findings establish the dateline of Pre-Harappan culture from 2700 BC to 2100 BC followed by Harappan period from 2100 BC onwards.[8] Some of the regions showing pre-Harappan culture include;
- Early Harappan
- Indus Valley civilization
Middle age
Islamic influence in the region started as early as 7th Century.
See also
Notes and References
- Book: Masson, V. M.. The History of Civilizations of Central Asia (Vol.1). 1999. Motilal Banarsidass. 9788120814073. 50. https://books.google.com/books?id=GXzycd3dT9kC&q=Soan+culture&pg=PA53. Lower Palaeolithic cultures.
- Book: West, Barbara A.. Encyclopedia of the peoples of Asia and Oceania. 2009. Facts On File. New York. 9781438119137. 519. https://books.google.com/books?id=pCiNqFj3MQsC&q=Mehrgarh&pg=PA519. Mehrgarh, Pre-Harappan culture.
- Book: Possehl, Gregory L.. The Indus civilization : a contemporary perspective. 2002. Altamira Press. Walnut Creek, Calif.. 9780759101722. 1. https://books.google.com/books?id=pmAuAsi4ePIC&q=Harappa&pg=PA111. 2. print.. 24 March 2013. Ancient Indian Civilization.
- Book: Ikawa-Smith, Fumiko. Early Paleolithic in South and East Asia. 1978. Walter de Gruyter. 9783110810035. 89. 24 March 2013.
- Web site: An Overview of the Siwalik Acheulian & Reconsidering Its Chronological Relationship with the Soanian . 24 March 2013 . Parth R. Chauhan . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120104171240/http://www.assemblage.group.shef.ac.uk/issue7/chauhan.html . 4 January 2012 .
- Book: Sen, Sailendra Nath. Ancient Indian history and civilization. 1999. New Age International. New Delhi. 9788122411980. 27. Second. 25 March 2013.
- Book: Gopal, Lallanji . History of agriculture in India : (up to c. 1200 AD). 2008. Concept. New Delhi. 9788180695216. 791. 1. publ.. 25 March 2013.
- Book: Bhattacharya, B.. Urban development in India : since pre-historic times. 2006. Concept Pub. Co.. New Delhi. 9788180692406. 22. 2nd rev.. 25 March 2013.
- Web site: The Bannu Archaeological Project . Department of Archaeology & Anthropology, University of Cambridge . 25 March 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130701180311/http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/bannu-archaeological-project/ . 1 July 2013 .
