Pakistani Archaeologists discovered Rare Indus Valley Civilization-era Seal in Steatite

Pakistani archaeologists discovered a rare Indus Valley civilization-era seal in steatite dating back to 2,500-2,000 BC from the Cholistan area of Punjab province.   The discovery is expected to open new dimensions for scholars.

The seal was discovered during the Sui-Vihar Excavations and Archaeological Reconnaissance of Southern Punjab — a project funded by UNESCO to explore sites along the Hakra river. The UNESCO project aimed at learning more about Buddhist influence in this region which has its own distinctive features as opposed to the Gandhara school of art further north. The team also conducted excavations at Sui-Vihar which is billed as the only existing example of Sankhya doctrines in Pakistan.

The Seal

The rare seal was found at Wattoowala, located near Derawar Fort and along the ancient bed of the Hakra river. It was discovered by a six-member team of archaeologists led by Punjab University archaeology department chairman Farzand Masih.

The seal features the carved figure of an ibex with two pictographs. It has a perforated boss on the back and varies from the style of Harappan seals. The seal which is almost square in shape is slightly broken on the right side. The figure of the ibex is however almost intact. The muscles, genitalia, hooves and tail of the ibex were engraved artistically with a high degree of skill and craftsmanship.

The seal revealed a regional influence as well as a possible pressence of a separate identity in the Harappan domain.

Excavations at Sui-Vihar

The Punjab University team also conducted excavations at Sui-Vihar, which was the only existing example of Sankhya doctrines in Pakistan. Sir Aural Stein and Henry Field had conducted a survey in the region in 1941 and 1955, respectively.

The excavation revealed a circular platform at Sui-Vihar built with sundried bricks and supporting walls to hold the platform and the cylindrical structure. The remains of a votive stupa suggested a possible conversion to a Buddhist establishment when Kanishka-I embraced Buddhism.