Home Culture Sindh Festival Could Damage Moenjodaro Ruins, Experts Claim

Sindh Festival Could Damage Moenjodaro Ruins, Experts Claim

by AFP and Staff Report
AFP

AFP

Head of the Sindh Archaeology Department denies any damage is being done to the UNESCO World Heritage site as Sindh High Court stops construction.

A festival to commemorate Pakistan’s cultural heritage spearheaded by Pakistan Peoples Party patron-in-chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari could put the ruins of one of the world’s ancient civilizations at risk, experts claimed on Thursday.

Bhutto Zardari, the heir to slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has launched a campaign to conserve the heritage of his home province of Sindh with a two-week festival due to begin on Feb. 1.

The PPP suffered defeat in the 2013 general elections and observers say the event, which has seen weeks of national television spots, is partly aimed at raising the 25-year-old’s political profile.

But experts claim that the festival’s inaugural ceremony, which is to be held on the ruins of the Moenjodaro settlement, could endanger the UNESCO World Heritage site built around 2600 BC. Large wooden and steel scaffolds are being erected over and around the ruins, while heavy spotlights and lasers have been installed for a light show.

Farzand Masih, head of the Department of Archaeology at Punjab University, said such activity was banned under the Antiquity Act. “You cannot even hammer a nail at an archaeological site,” he said. “The laser and spotlights, secondly, will cause rapid decay at the site which is already exposed to many negative factors,” Masih added. “I was invited for the ceremony by Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari but I don’t approve of such kind of activity.”

The ruins, discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Sir John Marshall, are 425 kilometers north of Karachi and are one of the largest settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization.

“This is really a matter of great concern that we treat our precious heritage so recklessly,” said Nauman Ahmed, a professor of architecture and urban planning. “And when we need technical or financial assistance for conservation we have to face embarrassment from the donors for such acts,” he added.

Qasim Ali Qasim, head of the Sindh Archaeology Department that is responsible for the ruins, denied any damage was being done. “I don’t think that the structure or lights would harm the site,” he said. “I am personally overseeing the work and it is all in accordance with the [Standard Operating Procedures].”

Taking notice of reports that an 80 feet wide and 60 feet long stage was being constructed at the historic site and could damage its archaeological integrity, the Sindh High Court on Thursday evening ordered any offending construction to be immediately halted unless “extreme care” is taken in making arrangements for the show to prevent a “great national tragedy.”

Responding to the criticism, Bhutto Zardari tweeted: “inspected MD site with Director Archaeology (30yrs experience). Explained how every precaution has been taken. Remains are safe. More soon.” Bhutto Zardari visited the site this morning to ensure that all construction work was in compliance with international preservation standards.

The Moenjodaro ruins are one of Pakistan’s six UNESCO World Heritage sites that are deemed places of special cultural significance. But many of the country’s historical sites have been endangered by vandalism and urban encroachment, as well as a booming trade in illegally excavated treasures.

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1 comment

Fayyaz February 1, 2014 - 7:01 am

I wonder why someone from Sindh is not going to courts against this.

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