Despite surviving for over a millenium, ancient Buddhist rock carvings scattered throughout the Swat Valley face the risk of disappearing due to climate change and urbanisation in Pakistan.
These rock carvings, dated from the eighth to tenth centuries, represents a vital part of the ancient Gandharan civilisation. Efforts to safeguard these sites has been enabled through support from the Cultural Protection Fund. Leading the way to protect the carvings are Essanoor Associates who have partnered with Italian Archaeological Mission Pakistan, Heritage Management Organisation, and the Directorate General of Archaeology, Government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
In response to the urgency to protect these rock reliefs, this collaborative partnership invested in the immediate first aid conservation for the most at-risk sites, as well as long-term resilience. Essanoor Associates have connected international expertise with local knowledge by offering on-the-job conservation and documentation training for local artisans, as well as for heritage professionals in climate adaptation methods. This is especially as the carvings are vulnerable to erosion, rock instability, and flooding. The resulting use of 3D scanning and GIS mapping has led to the creation of 108 intricate, digital replicas of the most vulnerable carvings which are now globally accessible for research and for the wider public.
For Awais Qarni, an archaeology student at the University of Swat, ‘This initiative has produced remarkable results. It is essential for the tourism, preservation, and conservation of Swat’s cultural heritage, efforts that can, in turn, promote and strengthen Pakistan’s economy.’
This was underscored with the international attention on climate change’s impact on Pakistan’s cultural heritage at this year’s Venice Biennale. Essanoor Associates partnered and contributed to the Pakistan National Pavilion’s (Fr)Agile Systems, which highlights the ‘imperative to rethink climate resilience as an adaptation process atuned to the asymmetries and imbalances of an interconnected world.’
Crucially, this project – like the carvings - illustrates the close bond between people and their environment. The deepened relationship with the local community is reflected partly through how this project has established a local, skilled workforce so that future site monitoring and repairs are managed on the ground. Additionally, the spiritual meaning of the sites has been kept alive through documentaries which capture the Pashtoon stories attached to the carvings and their connection with the ancient civilisations that have passed through the Swat Valley.
Mona Habeb, CPF Grants Manager, said: ‘This project stands out not only for its conservation of ancient carvings, but for centring the communities who live alongside them. Through powerful storytelling, the documentaries especially capture a rich tapestry of intangible heritage — from Buddhist traditions and stone milling to agricultural practices — ensuring that cultural memory is preserved not just in stone, but in spirit.'
Explore the 3D models and hear the local stories here.
