2,000-Year-Old Artifacts Discovered in Swat Butkara Region of Pakistan, Including Kharosthi Inscriptions

Recent excavations at the Butkara Stupa, located near Mingora in Swat, Pakistan, have uncovered a wealth of artifacts, including 2,000-year-old coins, pottery, and inscriptions written in Kharosthi. These findings provide valuable insights into the Saka-Parthian period and the region’s rich Buddhist heritage.

Dating back to the 2nd century BCE, the Butkara Stupa is one of the most important Buddhist sites in Swat, reflecting the area’s profound Buddhist legacy. It serves as a pilgrimage site for Buddhist followers, highlighting its significance in the spiritual landscape of the region.

The Italian Archaeological Mission, which has been conducting excavations in Swat since 1956, has made significant discoveries during its third season at the Butkara site. Led by Dr. Elisa Lori, an assistant professor at the University of Venice and the mission’s deputy head, and supported by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the team has successfully reached early phases of the site.

Dr. Lori expressed her excitement about the findings, stating, “These discoveries are particularly thrilling because we have successfully reached the early stages of this site. Butkara holds great importance in Buddhist heritage as a sacred place for followers.”

During the recent excavations, the team uncovered a settlement, a workshop or production area, and a major road that once connected the ancient capital of Swat, Massagana (Mingora), to the Butkara region. “We extracted a significant amount of material from the rooms, including coins dating back to the 1st century BCE,” she added.

Among the notable discoveries at the Butkara site is a foot-shaped amulet inscribed in Kharosthi, adding a fascinating layer to the historical understanding of the region. In addition to the amulet, the excavation team unearthed Saka-Parthian coins dating to the 1st century CE and artifacts from the Mauryan dynasty.

The Kharosthi script, primarily used in ancient Gandhara, provides crucial insights into the cultural and historical context of the region, as it was employed in writing various languages, including Gandhari (a Middle Indic-Aryan language). Kharosthi played a significant role in the transcription of Buddhist texts.

The latest findings indicate that the Butkara temple served as an important Buddhist sacred site during the Maurya Dynasty (320-185 BCE). Archaeologists also uncovered a layer related to the site’s earliest stupa, offering new perspectives on the historical development of the structure. Additionally, a layer confirming a flood event in the Jambil valley was revealed, providing vital information about the ancient environmental conditions of the area.

Nasir Khattak, Assistant Curator at the Swat Museum, noted that there are 23 preserved sites in the region where numerous ancient artifacts from different periods have been discovered. “The recently unearthed artifacts are extremely rare, including coins and pottery from that era. This site is significant not only for tourists but also for archaeology students,” he emphasized.

Swat is rich in remnants, ruins, and stupas from various historical periods, including Gandhara, Buddhist, Kushan, Ashoka, Hindu Shahis, and the era of Alexander the Great. Experts believe that if the Archaeology Department and the provincial government take further steps to promote religious tourism, it could play a vital role in the region’s development.

Cover Image Credit: Minute Mirror