Bronze-era Buddhist sites discovered in Swat Valley

An Italian archaeological mission in Pakistan has discovered a large number of Buddhist sites and rock shelters in Kandak and Kota valleys of Barikot in the Swat Valley linked to the Bronze Era.“These are some of the finest and most fascinating ancient discoveries preserved in good condition,” Gulf News quoted Dr Luca Maria Olivieri, the director of the archaeological mission, as saying. “These rock carvings depict agricultural cult scenes in red colours, cup marks meant for rituals, for example, for holding liquids or preparing the ochre pigment, dancing scenes, battle scenes and a large number of animals,” said Dr Olivieri.