Khirthar National Park
Baseline Environmental Study

Management of the archaeological heritage of Khirthar National Park

A number of important observations may be made regarding the results of the archaeological survey of the Khirthar National Park. Broad issues of cultural heritage management arise in any discussion of archaeological evidence, and these may be seen to encompass four main areas:

•interpretation of results and assignment of ranking in terms of significance of sites on local, national and global scales;
•ongoing archaeological investigation of sites, both in terms of conservation of sites for the future and/or excavation which may involve partial or complete destruction of sites;
•accessibility of sites for purposes of tourism, recreation, and education;
•management of sites and processes which affect sites, including natural and human impacts on preservation.

Significance

The interpretation and assessment of the significance of sites in the Khirthar area is difficult on the basis of a single surface survey. Nonetheless a preliminary ranking of significance can be attempted, subject to further investigation both through comparison with material from other sites and through more intensive investigation of particular sites themselves. Such investigation may occur through: collection of artefacts for further technical analysis; sub surface testing, trial excavation or probes; full scale stratigraphic excavation

. Such an assessment of the sites recorded in the Baseline Study would see sites divided into three categories according to their level of significance. At a local level of significance would be most of the cemetery sites, which are clearly Muslim and treated with reverence by local populations (and in some cases are still used for interments). Miscellaneous sites such as the remains of single structures, single graves and relatively recent sites such as the remains of British Colonial structures could all be considered to have local significance. Most of the smaller prehistoric sites represented by lithic scatters could also be considered to be of local archaeological significance, although the very large, rich lithic scatter at site 30 would definitely be of national significance to Pakistan.

Other sites of national significance include the multi-period mound sites of Koh Tarash and Taung Miri (sites 4 and 13), Babro (site 69), gabarbands (sites 5, 7, 10, 19, 22 and 64), and the rock art site near Khar (site 70). Two sites which may be considered to be of international significance are the Taung Valley graveyard of Jam Lohar (site 11) and the sites associated with the fortifications at Rani Kot (sites 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58).

Table 7.1 Preliminary ranking of archaeological sites in the Khirthar National Park according to their local, national and international significance.

Archaeological investigation

The assessment of the sites recorded by this survey as outlined above must be considered as preliminary only, and subject to ongoing investigation. Other sites, not recorded by this study will undoubtedly come to light in the future, both formally through further archaeological research and informally, through, for example, local farmers turning up antiquities whilst ploughing new fields. Archaeological researches in areas adjacent to the national park will also shed light on the potential significance of some of the sites already recorded here.

Certain sites recorded by this survey would appear to represent worthwhile opportunities for further investigation and excavation. In particular those sites noted to be of national and international significance would certainly repay closer examination by archaeologists and historians. Preservation and conservation of these sites for future examination is essential, both in the short term and over the longer period, against the day when more sophisticated excavation and sub-surface sensing technologies become available.

Accessibility

The cultural heritage of the Khirthar National Park forms part of the inheritance of the people and nation of Pakistan. Many of the archaeological sites in Khirthar region are of interest to non-archaeologists and have significant potential for touristic, recreational and educational purposes. Yet a balance must be struck between opening up significant sites (such as Rani Kot and Jam Lohar) to visitors from outside the park and protection of such sites for future visitors to enjoy. Infrastructure such as made roads, signposts, interpretive information and visitor facilities must be provided to attract both Pakistani and foreign tourists to the park, but the provision of such facilities needs to be carefully monitored. Controlling the number of visitors and their access to part or all of a site requires investment in human resources in the form of guides and guards. The management of major archaeological sites is a complex issue.

Management

The management of archaeological sites in a national park involves consideration of a number of issues which may impact upon each other in a variety of ways. Statutory requirements at national, provincial and local governmental levels must be adhered to in all cases and these may involve overlap between different government departments (such as the Department of Antiquities, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Tourism) as well as different levels of government. Broad general factors to be considered should address issues of:

•recording sites and retrieving as much information about them as possible in order to effectively manage them
•protection of sites from natural processes, including erosion, weathering and wild animal activities, such as grazing, browsing and walking over fragile surfaces
•protection of sites from human activities, including stock grazing, agriculture, land clearance and quarrying
•control over development impacting on sites, such as building works, and construction of dams and roads
•protection of sites from the impact of visitors, such as vandalism, souveniring and theft •provision of facilities and information regarding sites, including the impact of construction of infrastructure and consequently increasing visitor numbers.

There is little doubt that the cultural heritage management of an archaeologically rich and complex area like the Khirthar National Park involves numerous issues relating to protection of sites, meeting statutory requirements and tourism management. Such issues may be complicated and costly to address but are essential if the unique archaeological heritage of Khirthar is to be preserved.

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