Unearthing remains of Harappa civilization: Excavation of Cholistan desert to start from March 1

LAHORE:Excavation work at archaeological site of Tila Ganweriwala in Cholistan desert, Bahawalpur will start from March 1 to unearth the remains of Harappan civilization.

The initiative is being carried out under the supervision of Punjab Archeology Department and according to a spokesman for the department the project also has the support of Commissioner Bahawalpur Office and “THAAP Organisation”.

Commissioner Bahawalpur Dr Ehtasham Anwar will be the guest of honour of the inauguration ceremony. Director General Archeology Punjab Shozeb Saeed and other relevant officials of the Archaeology Department will also take part in the event.

The DG Archeology said the Ganweriwala Mound of Cholistan was among the major cities of the great Harappan civilization. “Archaeological Excavations at this site will help find the missing link of Indus Valley Civilization between Harappa and Moenjo Daro”, the DG maintained.

He said the Punjab government has approved initial funds for the Tila Ganweriwala project. “This project is just an initial step towards the research and finding questions about the ancient history of this land. Punjab Archaeology will continue these archaeological excavations in future as well’, he vowed.

Eminent archaeologist and former DG Archeology Dr Muhammad Rafiq Mughal will carry out the excavations at the site while Director Archaeology Muhammad Hassan will work as the Archeology Department’s representative to supervise the project.

The DG said Punjab Archaeology Department is initiating three more projects of archaeological excavations including Tibba Sangarwala at Kamalia, Taloja Fort at Khushab and Amb Temples at Khushab. He also mentioned that Research scholars from Academia and sister organisations related to archaeology will also be involved during the excavation operations.