Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – Founded by Alexander the Great the ancient city of Bazira was long, but its ruins were located in 2019.

The city was established after the destruction of the lower city in the third century by a catastrophic earthquake, and later abandoned in the third century and lost to history.

View of the Bazira Barikot site. Credit: Dawn

The discovery of the intriguing ancient city of Bazira in Brikot Swat, Pakistan prompted archaeologists to excavate the site, and earlier this year scientists unearthed a 1,800-year-old Buddhist stupa and relics in the vicinity of Bazira.

Scientists now report they have come across the second gate of Bazira city and some unique artifacts.

Led by Dr. Elisa Lori, deputy director Italian archaeological mission in Pakistan the team has made a new breakthrough that sheds light on the historical significance of this ancient place.

“We discovered the second gate in the south-western stretch of the city wall that gave the ancient visitor access to the main street of the south-western neighborhood of the city. This evidence enriches our knowledge on the history of the urban layout of the city of Barikot from the Indo-Greek to the Kushano-Sasanian period,” Dr. Elisa Iori said.

“She said that a large quanтιтy of materials of different kinds was found that included coins, Kharosthi inscriptions on pottery, beads for bangles and necklaces, terracotta figurines, and several relief fragments, representing the life of Buddha.

A view of the recently-discovered secondary gate of Bazira city. Credit: Dawn 

She said that one of the most peculiar recoveries was that of a large-sized right-spiraling ritual conch shell (about 15-centimeter long). It was found during the excavation of the Buddhist temple,” the Dawn reports.

“From ancient texts and sculptures, we know that in Buddhism, as well as in ‘Hinduism’, conch shells were important ritual objects traditionally blown as trumpets during ceremonies. The recovery of such a ritual object coming from long-distance travel is quite unique in an archaeological context,” she said.

A conch shell was discovered by archaeologists in the recent excavation. Credit: Dawn

Archaeology directorate representative Nasir Khattak, who was part of the team emphasized that the new discovery was important both in respect of architecture and chronology.

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“During the previous excavations, the oldest apsidal Buddhist temple was discovered. This campaign is meant to expand it during which we have made some new discoveries but could not open the complete complex,” he said.

Archaeologists will continue their work at the site and new discoveries will hopefully be reported soon.

Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer