Identification of Management & Conservation issues in Built Heritage

(A Case Study of Zar Dheri Buddhist complex District Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)

Zar Dheri Buddhist complex is located in a village called Tambah Shinkiari town enrooted Thakot on the Karakorum highway to the north of Mansehra in Hazara division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. Zar Dheri Buddhist complex is one of the few sites systematically explored and scientifically excavated by professional archaeologists. The site was for the first time documented by H. Hargreaves in 1922.

It was later on excavated by the Tokyo National Museum Archaeological Mission (hereafter TNMAM) to Pakistan from 1995-99 in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology and Museums (henceforth DOAM), Government of Pakistan. These field investigations at the site revealed some remarkable discoveries including 146 stone sculptures/architectural elements, coins and ceramics. But the most important discovery revealed at the site was the exceptional cruciform stupa with flight of steps provided on each cardinal side. This stupa has recently been declared as the earliest of all the cruciform stupas yet discovered from the entire South Asia. But despite of its rich archaeological and historical potential, the site is constantly losing its authenticity due to natural disaster and human vandalism. 

Main stupa

The main stupa was exposed in the center of the square court. The stupa is cruciform in shape very similar those at Bhamala and Rawak .The cruciform shape stupas are very rare in and outside the Gandhara region. Those discovered from Gandhara region include the Main Stupa A at Bhamala (Taxila), the stupa at Tahkal Bala and Shah-ji-ki-Dheri (Peshawar), The Stupa at Sahri Bahlol (Mardan) and stupa model from Sheikhan Dheri (Charsadda) now displayed in Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology University of Peshawar. While those found from the surrounding regions include; the Parihasanpur and Harwan stupas (Kashmir), the stupa at Tapa Sardar near Ghazni (Afghanistan), the stupa at Adzehna Tepe in Tajikistan, the main Stupa of Rawak in Chinese Turkistan, the stupa at Paharpur (Bangladesh) and building 42 at Sanchi (India).  The principal stupa at Zar Dheri has a square plinth provided with four stairs. The stupa is constructed of dressed stones in diaper masonry. According to Fitzsimmon, the emergence of cross planned stupa was the result of development of design in Taxila without borrowing the idea from outside. He has further classified the cross planned stupa into two groups. The first group comprises of those reported from Pakistan and Afghanistan which retain the strong presence of square body at the heart of the design. Another is the example in other areas which have three protruding corners between each staircase. The protrusion is equivalent to plinth not an addition, stupa in Tapa Sardar is divided into two according to their shape. Early example retains square core in their shape, which later ones moved towards a radiated circle. The stupa at Zar Dheri along with other associated structures was refilled after excavation presently only the dome covered with thick bushes is visible.  While Abdul Hameed in his PhD dissertation has reclassified the cruciform stupas reported in and outside the Gandhara region. He has also established chronology of the cross planned stupas by declaring the Zar Dheri Stupa to be the earliest.

The Monastic Complex

The excavation conducted at the site revealed the monastic complex comprising of monk’s cell courtyard and corridor measuring 85 meters in length east-west and 52 (meters) in width in north- south. All the structure in the monastery is were made of stone in diaper masonry. Iron door fifing’s reported during the excavation show the existence of the wooden door.

 

Current Status of the Site

The research team conducted a comprehensive survey of the site to investigate the various management/conservation issues.  During the field investigation it was noticed that the important heritage site being exposed to the natural threats and human vandalism is constantly losing its originality. As mentioned earlier that the site had partially been damaged by the local antiquarians even before it was systematically documented and published. But the most severe issues to the site have been raised after the excavations. Refilling of the site has given opportunity to the local community to resume agricultural and construction activities at the site.

Proposed Management Plan

Lack of management is also one of the most important management issues. Although the site has been declared as a protected site but no management plan has yet ben prepared for its conservation, preservation, protection and promotion for heritage tourism. Propoer demarcation of the site by the concerned department will help to stop encrochment and misuse of the site. Implemention of the antiqutity laws will also ensure the prtotection of the site from further destruction.  After the detailed documenttion and demaration the enchrochment and altration made by the local community need to be removed on urgent bases. This possible only if all the stakeholders (i.e. the DOAM, Governement of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the local community and the Ministery of Culture and Torism) are taken on borad. The owners of the site may be compansated and rehabilitaed. In the next step, a permanet fense should be installed aound the site to protect the same from animals as well as human vandalism. Site watchmen may be deputed to lookafter and safegaurd the site on regular basis. The exposed structural remains need to be properly conserved by the professionals to stup further damage to the site. The biological growth at the site may be stop by removing the herbs and shrubs on regular basis. The sructural remains including the exceptional stupa and the monastery may be revealed and conserved. Futhers excavatins at the site may lead to more discoveries and help to understnd the chronology of the site.  After extensive excavations and conservation the site may be promoted for sustainable tourism.

Conclusion

Cultural heritage sites are the most important tools being used for sustainable tourism in many of the countries. The archaeological sites and monuments have the potentials to attract both national and international tourists due to their historical, artistic and architectural significance. Cultural Heritage often reduces leisure opportunities of short-term domestic economic development for long-term benefits. Pakistan is one of the few countries of the world, blessed with rich cultural and archaeological heritage. But many of the important heritage sites have disappeared. While the remaining are losing their originality due to poor management plan. Zar Dheri is one of the endangered sites constantly its authenticity due to natural threats and human vandalism.The major natural threats identified during the present research include wild growth, climatic change/humidity, earthquake, rain water and patina. While those of human include encroachment, misuse and urbanization. The proposed management plan may help not only minimize the threats but also to preserve and promote the site for sustainable tourism.

By

Usman khan

By Profession I’m Academic & Management Professional I done my Master degree in Heritage Management (Specialization in Heritage Tourism) with distinction from the Department of Archaeology Hazara University, Mansehra with the collaboration of the Leicester University UK.

I am a Pioneer Degree Holder in heritage studies from Pakistan. My additional qualification is MBA from Institute of Management Studies, University of Peshawar. Currently I’m working as a Lecturer at Department of tourism & hotel Management, University of Swabi (Pakistan).