Three 'heritage sites' identified for excavation in Cholistan.

Byline: Majeed Gill

BAHAWALPUR -- The local archaeology department has proposed excavation at theree potential heritage sites in Cholistan which, according to the officials, may have relics of ancient human settlements.

The department's officials have proposed to their provincial office in Lahore to start excavation at these sites in the Cholistan desert area around the former Nawab of

Bahawalpur's Shikargah (hunting area) falling within the jurisdiction of Ahmedpur East tehsil of the district.

Archaeology Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Sajjad Malik told Dawn that the Cholistan Development Authority (CDA) managing director had informed the department that the his field staff had identified three places -- Snaika Thair (mound) at 33-DRB village on Derawar-Liquatpur road, Parhara Thair in Basti Azeamwali in the interior Cholistan and Sadhowala Thair near 96-DNB village -- where suspicious activities by some private persons searching for objects related to some ancient period.

The SDO said that acting on the proposal, teams of the department recently visited these sites, finding signs of illegal excavation, including trenches and ditches, there.

He added that the teams also found large potsherds, burnt bricks and other artifacts there. According to an official...