ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – In an extraordinary excavation, the Directorate of Archeology and Museums (DOAM) discovered 400 Buddhist monuments of all kinds from a single site in the village of Babu Dehri in Swabi District, setting a new record.
While breaking the mega-development in archaeological studies made by the department, an official of the DOAM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa told media men that the recent excavation was reckoned as the largest number of antiques and artifacts belonging to Buddhist civilization were recovered in a large quantity, which was a big success in the archaeological history of the province. He also mentioned the finding of a huge number of artifacts from a single place, including over 400 monuments and a gigantic stupa, which he described as a major accomplishment and the province’s greatest discovery.
Excavation at the site, he said, began six months ago on scientific grounds, and the hard work of his team members resulted in a significant discovery of hundreds of antiquities and a stupa.
The department had received complaints regarding the site’s archaeological wealth, he claimed, since illegal digging was occurring there regularly.
He went on to say that the Archeology department has begun work on safeguarding the site in preparation for its opening to international tourists to boost religious tourism.
