![]() | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Sassi Punnu Fort . (Discuss) Proposed since April 2024. |
Miri Qalat is an archaeological site located in the Kech Valley, Pakistan, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. The name itself can be translated to "Prince's Fortress," with the term "Mir" stemming from Arabic ancestry, meaning "prince," and the word "Qalat" stemming from the Arabic and Persian word for "fortress."
Situated in the larger region of Kech-Makran in the southwestern part of the Pakistani province of Balochistan, Miri Qalat is often regarded as "the most important archaeological site of the Kech Valley," although it represents only a small part of the entire region. [1] [2]
Excavations of the site of Miri Qalat took place during the late 20th century, initially revealing signs of settlement which consisted of mud-brick and stone structures. Through various dating methods, archaeologists dated the site to the beginnings of the Indus Valley Civilization (2500-1900 BCE), placing it in the second half of the 3rd millennium BC. [1]
Led by archaeologist Roland Besenval, the excavation was aimed at understanding the site's strata along with its paleo-economical and paleo-environmental context. [3] These findings are crucial for understanding the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age periods in South Asia, and provide insight on the region's first urban civilization. [1]
The archaeological trench excavation not only led to a greater historical understanding of local tradition and its connection to Iranian culture, but also shed light on trade interactions within the region and with the Oman Peninsula.
The fortress town of Miri Qalat is located in the Kech Valley, located at longitude 63°0' E and latitude 26°2'N, approximately 6 km northwest of the present day town of Turbat, in the Makran region of Pakistan's southwestern most province of Balochistan. [4]
Topographically, the region comprises a series of low-lying yet rugged mountain ranges that are situated in an east-west direction, which geographically isolate a series of alluvial valleys. [2] As in the past, even today, this geographical barrier is responsible for limiting human access and settlement within these valleys, despite the presence of fertile and arable soils and plentiful access to water sources. [4]
The Kech Valley, one of these isolated regions, is a narrow, grove-like area where both summer and winter crops are grown and thrive, using the Balochi irrigating technique known as karez [4] [5]
Although geographically rather isolated, it is important to note that historically the Kech Valley has been home to human civilization. This is evidenced by the structural presence of the fortress town of Miri Qalat and the discovery of various man-made objects within this archaeological site.
The climate of the area, serves as an agricultural challenge as it is difficult to maintain crops in this hot and harsh valley climate surrounded by mountains. [4] Moreover, the climate of Makran is particularly hot and arid. The average annual rainfall of this region, which is reflective of that of southern and western Pakistan as a whole - the country's most dry regions, is roughly 150 mm, making it one of the driest regions in Pakistan. [6]
In Miri Qalat, the average yearly rainfall ranges from 100–130 mm, with a majority occurring during winter and spring, from December to April. As compared to the rest of Pakistan, the summer monsoon of July and August is less pronounced and thus adequate irrigation is absolutely necessary for the viability of agricultural products. [6] Furthermore, rainfall within the region is quite sporadic with long periods of drought followed by heavy rains in addition to thunderstorms, with the majority of the whole year's rainfall occurring within the span of a few days. [4]
Overall, the climate is also quite arid and hot, with winters averaging around 68 °F and summers averaging around 95 °F. Thus, vegetation is quite limited due to the rigidity of the climate and the harsh conditions of mountainous ridges. [4]
The archaeological site of Miri Qalat, located in the kech Valley in the Kech Valley in the Kech-Makran district district of Balochistan, Pakistan, has been a significant focus of excavation and analysis. [1]
Initially discovered and explored in 1927 by Hungarian-British archaeologist Aurel Stein, the site of Miri Qalat saw a series of excavations between the span of 7 years from 1990 to 1997, led by the French Archaeological Mission. This project was led by the French Archaeologist Roland Besenval, director and founder of Makran's French Archaeological mission from 1986 - 2012,. [3] [7] The excavation and research was all in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan's Department of Archaeology and Museums. While preliminary exploration was conducted by Stein, Besenval and his team later laid down eleven trenches during the seventh season of excavations in order to gather stratified data and identify the specific cultural phases from history present at the site of Miri Qalat. [3]
During this archaeological mission, 228 site excavations, extensive surveys, and explorations were carried out throughout the entire region. [7] Surface potsherds played a crucial role in dating the excavation sites, providing valuable insights into the region's history despite the challenges posted by the rigidity of the region's climate and topography. [4] [7]
Miri Qalat quickly emerged as the most important of these archaeological sites for historical understanding in this region. [1] An extensive project was carried out in order to better understand its strata, along with its paleo-economical and paleo-environmental context. [3] Dating of the surface potsherds found at the site indicated occupation during the protohistoric period, particularly in the Dasht plain, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC (2800 - 2500 BC). [7]
Excavations at Miri Qalat were significant due to the signs of settlement found at the site. The decision to excavate Miri Qalat was based on its long occupation sequence, as evidenced by the surface materials found at the site. Although it has not yet been entirely excavated, five field-campaigns were conducted on six main trenches (I-IV, VII-X). [7] These excavations, along with the discovery of the above mentioned potsherds among other artifacts, provided the first chrono-cultural sequence and dating for the region of Kech-Makran. [7]
Besenval's decision to excavate the site of Miri Qalat was a rather remarkable one, as it provided crucial data in establishing a chrono-cultural sequence for the region of Kech-Makran. [8]
Situated approximately 6 km north-west of the present-day city of Turbat, Balochistan, Miri Qalat is topped with an Islamic fortress and is located in the close proximity to the right bank of the Kech River, making it an important site of agricultural promise and civilization.
Of the five field-campaigns conducted to excavate Miri Qalat, the oldest settlement found was dated to the 5th millennium BC. [3] Findings from this settlement evidenced occupation from the Chalcolithic Period, the Early Bronze Age, and the Indus Valley Civilization. However, there was a gap in occupation during the 2nd millennium BC. after which the site was reoccupied from the first centuries BC to AD, continuing into the late Islamic period.
Some of the noticeable findings from the excavations include:
Based on the dating of these artifacts, Miri Qalat was found to have played a major role in the Indus Valley Civilization. Excavations in Trench I revealed that it was one of the westernmost sites of the civilization and played an important role in regional exchanges and trade. [1] As was in close proximity to Sutkagen-dor and Sotka-Koh, two major maritime trading posts in coastal Kech-Makran, the site was a major stakeholder in maritime trade exchanges with the region and the Oman Peninsula. [1]
Furthermore, archaeo-botanical and archaeo-zoological analysis of the coast bordering Miri Qalat provided important data on the ancient environment and food economy of Kech-Makran as a whole. [7] Dating and contextualization were aided by resources such as ethnographic observations of fishery activities from the region. [8] Archaeologists, including Cecile Buquet, Jean Desse, Nathalie Desse-Berset, Aurore Didier, Vincent Marcon, Benjamin Mutin, and Margareta Tengberg, conducted a paleo-geographical reconstruction of the ancient terrain, land, rivers, and coastline to better understand past resource use.
One of the main structural features discovered at the archaeological site of Miri Qalat was the presence of an irrigation system known as karez in Balochi. [4] This system consists of an array of underground galleries that gather and store water from the ground at the foot of the lower lying mountains surrounding the valley. [5] The presence of this rather complicated and advanced irrigation system is evidence of advanced human civilization and functionality as this was likely used to tend to agricultural practices in the area.
Connections with the Uruk civilization have been discovered, such as the presence of the typical Beveled rim bowls. [9]
Analyzing archaeological sites and excavations from the region of South Asia holds immense significance, particularly because it is one of the most neglected parts of the world in this regard. When looking at the country of Pakistan, one will note that it has some of the most poor forms of infrastructure even in urban parts of the country. Thus, countries like Pakistan and other developing nations, often lack the resources to excavate and preserve archaeological sites such as Miri Qalat. However, excavating and preserving such sites can offer immense cultural and historical insights about the region, and enrich one's understanding of civilization in South Asia.
Excavation of the site of Miri Qalat has the potential to provide immense insight into human evolution and civilization. As it is one of the oldest accounts of urban civilization in South Asia, with its ties to the Indus Valley Civilization. [10] Furthermore, this excavation has the potential to boost the nation's trade and economy, as the site predates even the pyramids of Egypt, representing some of the oldest and earliest human settlements in history. [10]
Harappa is an archaeological site in Punjab, Pakistan, about 24 km (15 mi) west of Sahiwal. The Bronze Age Harappan civilisation, now more often called the Indus Valley Civilisation, is named after the site, which takes its name from a modern village near the former course of the Ravi River, which now runs 8 km (5.0 mi) to the north. The core of the Harappan civilisation extended over a large area, from Gujarat in the south, across Sindh and Rajasthan and extending into Punjab and Haryana. Numerous sites have been found outside the core area, including some as far east as Uttar Pradesh and as far west as Sutkagen-dor on the Makran coast of Balochistan, not far from Iran.
Makran, also mentioned in some sources as Mecran and Mokrān, is the southern coastal region of Balochistan. It is a semi-desert coastal strip in the Balochistan province in Pakistan and in Iran, along the coast of the Gulf of Oman. It extends westwards, from the Sonmiani Bay to the northwest of Karachi in the east, to the fringes of the region of Bashkardia/Bāšgerd in the southern part of the Sistan and Baluchestan province of modern Iran. Makrān is thus bisected by the modern political boundary between Pakistan and Iran.
Shahr-e Sukhteh, c. 3550–2300 BC, also spelled as Shahr-e Sūkhté and Shahr-i Sōkhta, is an archaeological site of a sizable Bronze Age urban settlement, associated with the Helmand culture. It is located in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, the southeastern part of Iran, on the bank of the Helmand River, near the Zahedan-Zabol road. It was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in June 2014.
The ancient site at Kot Diji was the forerunner of the Indus Civilization. The occupation of this site is attested already at 3300 BCE. The remains consist of two parts; the citadel area on high ground ), and outer area. The Pakistan Department of Archaeology excavated at Kot Diji in 1955 and 1957.
Rehman Dheri or sometime Rahman Dheri is a Pre-Harappan Archaeological Site situated near Dera Ismail Khan in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. This is one of the oldest urbanised centres found to date in South Asia. Dated, the site is situated 22 kilometres (14 mi) north of Dera Ismail Khan. It is on the Tentative List for future World Heritage Sites in Pakistan.
Amri is an ancient settlement in modern-day Sindh, Pakistan, that goes back to 3600 BCE. The site is located south of Mohenjo Daro on Hyderabad-Dadu Road more than 100 kilometres north of Hyderabad, Pakistan.
Chanhu-daro is an archaeological site belonging to the Indus Valley civilization. The site is located 130 kilometers (81 mi) south of Mohenjo-daro, now in Sindh, Pakistan. The settlement was inhabited between 4000 and 1700 BCE, and is considered to have been a centre for manufacturing carnelian beads. This site is a group of three low mounds that excavations has shown were parts of a single settlement, approximately 7 hectares in size.
Amri–Nal culture is attributed to Amri archaeological sites in Sindh and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan. It flourished in the 4th and 3rd millennia BC. The dual typesites are Amri and Sohr Damb area in Naal, Balochistan.
Kot Bala, or Balakot is an archaeological site located in Lasbela District, Balochistan, Pakistan. It is near the Makran coast of the Arabian Sea, and goes back to around 4000 BC.
Muhammad Rafiq Mugal is a Pakistani archaeologist, engaged in investigating of ethnoarchaeological research in Chitral, northern Pakistan. He has been responsible for the direction, technical support and supervision for restoration and conservation of more than thirty monuments and excavated remains of the Islamic, Buddhist and Proto-historic periods, in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan. He served as a professor of archaeology and heritage management and the director of undergraduate studies at Boston University. He is now Professor Emeritus of Archaeology at Boston University.
Nausharo is located in Balochistan, Pakistan. It is well known as an archaeological site for the Harappan period. The excavations were carried out between 1985 and 1996 by a French team of archaeologists, under the direction of Jean-François Jarrige. The other sites belonging to the same cluster are Mehrgarh and Pirak.
The Kech River flows in the Makran region, of southeastern Iran and the southwestern area of Balochistan Province in southwestern Pakistan.
Mundigak is an archaeological site in Kandahar province in Afghanistan. During the Bronze Age, it was a center of the Helmand culture. It is situated approximately 55 km (34 mi) northwest of Kandahar near Shāh Maqsūd, on the upper drainage of the Kushk-i Nakhud River.
Kunal is a pre-Harappan Indus Valley civilisation settlement located, just 30 km from Fatehabad City in Fatehabad district of Haryana state in India. Compared to other IVC sites, such as cities like Rakhigarhi and towns like Kalibangan, Kunal site was a village. Excavation at Kunal show 3 successive phases of Pre-Harappan indigenous culture on the Saraswati river who also traded with Kalibanga and Lothal. Kunal, along with its other contemporary sites Bhirrana and Rakhigarhi on Sarasvati-Ghaggar river system, is recognised as the oldest Pre-Harappan settlement, with Kunal being an older cultural ancestor to Rehman Dheri in Pakistan< which is on the Tentative List for future World Heritage Sites.
Nindowari, also known as Nindo Damb, is a Kulli archaeological site, dating back to chalcolithic period, in Kalat District of Balochistan, Pakistan. Archaeological investigation of the site suggests that the Nindowari complex was occupied by the Harappans before the Kulli civilization arrived and that the Kulli culture was related to or possibly derived from the Harappan culture.
Periano Ghundai meaning "The Hill of Fairies" was an archaeological mound located in the Zhob district in Balochistan, Pakistan. The site is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) west of the town of Zhob. It was excavated in 1924 by Sir Aurel Stein and showed great resemblance to the Harappan culture.
Sohr Damb, c. 3800–2300 BC, is an archaeological site, located near Nal, in central Balochistan, Pakistan that begins before the Indus Valley civilization featuring Togau, Kili Ghul Mohammad, and Kechi Beg pottery styles. It has also been known as Naal, Balochistan, and gave its name to the prehistoric Amri-Nal culture, which is attributed to the dual typesites of Amri and Nal.
The Helmand culture, c. 3300–2350 BCE, is a Bronze Age culture that flourished mainly in the middle and lower valley of the Helmand River, in southern Afghanistan and eastern Iran, predominantly in the third millennium BCE.
Aurore Didier is a French archaeologist and researcher. At the French National Center for Scientific Research, she is in charge of the ‘Indus-Balochistan programme’, and director of the French Archaeological Mission in the Indus Basin. Her primary interest is South Asian protohistory, specifically the Bronze Age in the Indo-Iranian Borderlands and the Indus Valley Civilization.
Killi Kechi Beg, also known as Kechi Beg, is an archaeological site located in the Quetta Valley of Balochistan, Pakistan. The site can be traced back to 3800–3200 BCE, during the developed Neolithic era of the pre–Harappan Indus Valley Civilizations. Based on ceramics from the region that are on exhibit at the Central Asian Antiquities Museum in New Delhi, India, it was found by British archaeologist Stuart Piggott during his explorations in the region in 1943–1944. Killi Kechi Beg is one of several Chalcolithic period sites found in Balochistan dating back to 4500 to 1500 BCE.