Located in the Kachi-Bolan district of Balochistan, Pakistan, at the mouth of Bolan Pass and on the bank of Bolan river, the Mehrgarh archaeological site is one of the ancient and the oldest heritage sites in South Asia. It is the precursor of Indus valley Civilization. The site is on UNESCO’s tentative heritage list.
The site was discovered in 1974 by a French archaeological team headed by Dr. Jean Francois Jarrige, in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology Pakistan. The excavation was conducted in two phases from 1974 to 1985 and again from 1997 till 2000. The whole archaeological zone is extended over 618 acres (250 hectares).Mehrgarh was one of the earliest well planned and ancient human settlements with a highly developed society. People attained remarkable progress in agriculture, architecture, domestication of plants and animals, technology, crafts and styles.
People lived in multi-roomed and rectangular houses. The houses were constructed with sun dried bricks painted with pottery and a variety of other craft practices. The housing units were large with basements. The spaces for storage and craft-making activities were provided separately similar to that of Mesopotamian sites.
Mehrgarh being an amalgam of cultural practices and traditions traversed in history and prehistory has a marvelous contribution in human history. There is substantial evidence that this area had first witnessed domestication of a variety of animals as well as the first farming culture and agricultural communities of various sizes in South Asia. People used to grow wheat, barley and cotton as well as domesticate animals notably goat, sheep and cattle. The Zebu (humped cattle) was the dominant one among all cattles, and this possibly led to the earliest known tradition of making Zebu figurine.
The studies have shown the earliest example of dentistry and traces of drilling of human teeth in Mehrgarh
In any given time and place, domestication of animal and plants was a complex process involving gigantic human efforts and relationships with the environment, and in this regard Mehrgarh took the lead in entire South Asia. This remarkable development in the history of mankind is known as “Neolithic Revolution”. It was a significant transitional phase when our ancestors made the move from foraging to farming culture and from a mobile to a mainly sedentary lifestyle. Later on, similar development took place and spread over to a very large region eventually provided grounds and basis for the development of Indus Valley Civilization.
With the advent of agricultural activities and pastoralism as well as first manifestation of urbanism, this area had practically become the food -basket of the region. Subsequently, profound changes took place in the landscape and population as well as in the social structure. There was a rise of urbanization and population expansion. In a sense, the switching over to agriculture and animal husbandry, was a new way of life the humans started living. However, this extraordinary change was not without consequences.
Professor Yuval Noah Harari, an expert on world history, argues that the agricultural revolution in different parts of the world made the life of people more difficult. People began to devote all their time, effort and energy for caring animals and plants to get more fruit, grain and meat and resultantly “human spines, knees, necks and arches paid the price” and with “plethora of ailments, such as slip discs, arthritis and hernias”. The more focus on agriculture produce and rearing of animals required people to make their houses perpetually near the agriculture fields, and thus, “we did not domesticate wheat, it domesticated us”.
The rich cultural heritage of Balochistan is well known for its craftsmanship, beauty and lapidary accomplishments. Many burials were found with stone and bone tools, animal sacrifices, bracelets, turquoise beads, sea shells as well as human and animal figurine. Terracotta figurines of females were decorated with paint, beautiful hairstyles and elegant stuff. These figurines became more detailed, complex and sophisticated in the later phase.
Moreover, extraordinary treasure trove of pottery with significant shapes and motifs was found at Mehrgarh site. The pottery making took great momentum during the 5th and early 4th millennium BCE, which is considered as an important technological innovation. The introduction of Potter’s wheel and the use of spatula brought convenience and variety such as geometrical designs and different colours in pottery making.
In addition to that people knew the techniques of proto-dentistry. The studies have shown the earliest example of dentistry and traces of drilling of human teeth in Mehrgarh. The long distance trade was also known to the people of Mehrgarh because several ornaments such as sea shells, lapis lazuli and carnelian, were made of non-local material. The trade link not only brought precious and exotic goods but also technological know-how, decorative styles and ideas, said Dr. Ute Frank, a well-known archaeologist and researcher.
Despite rich and marvelous heritage, it is an irony that cultural patrimony has not been given its due place and importance over the last many decades. The Mehrgarh heritage site had not found its place for inscription on the permanent world heritage list due to lack of necessary infrastructure and restoration in line with the UNESCO guidelines. Similarly, there are several other sites where restoration and preservation work is long due.
However, the present government of Balochisan has taken initiatives for the restoration and conservation of important archaeological sites such as Mehrgarh, Miri Kalat, Chakar Fort, Chowkandi graveyards and survey and mapping of other cultural properties. Alongside this, the projects for construction of new libraries, establishment of cultural centers and art galleries are part of the Public Sector Development Programme. The new Mehrgarh museum has also been built in Quetta where the brilliant culture of the past and wonderful heritage will be available to its people. The discovery of Mehrgarh is of paramount importance. It is the marvel of the world of archaeology being one of the earliest seats of civilization and a trailblazer and pacesetter of cultural evolution. Let us keep our invaluable heritage and precious cultural assets close to our heart.
The writer is Former Secretary, Culture, Tourism & Archaeology Government of Balochsian