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Published: 08 April 2020

Editorial

Zahida Quadri Editor

The present number of Sindh Antiquities is the Special issue on Banbhore Excavations. The number of pages has therefore been increased as compared to the previous/regular issues. This edition has discussed Banbhore in a quite broader perspective by using the most recent data and contextual archaeological analysis of the archaeological material.

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Published: 08 April 2020

Editorial

Zahida Quadri- Editor

The utmost purpose of heritage is preservation. Preservation, for today and forever. Although circumstances, climate effects, and policies sometimes intervene, and the objective does not serve the purpose. Keeping it in view, the present issue of Sindh Antiquities Vol-06, No: 02-2020 focuses on the risk study that most of the heritage property in Pakistan is facing. This issue begins with departmental reports. These are risk mitigation studies conducted by the Directorate General of Antiquities & Archaeology, Government of Sindh with the assistance of field experts and specialized universities of Pakistan to understand the exposure of heritage to danger. Papers presented in this volume vary in theme, a few of them focus directly on risk preparedness, some reference related issues, including the importance of maintenance and some have discussed the connections and problems between heritage and threats to the heritage. These papers also highlight the limitations in the management, preservation, and conservation of heritage property in Pakistan and have identified possible solutions to these issues, including the legality of existing heritage laws. This issue has emphasized understanding the relationship of heritage properties with its surrounding forces and examining it from a grassroots perspective. The number 02 of Volume 6 is an attempt to provide an understanding of the phenomena that decaying the heritage building and has recommended appropriate interventions that mitigate their deterioration to length the lifespan. The preservation methodology adopted in almost all the heritage properties in Pakistan is critically examined in this publication which overlooked the human-centered approaches and separated the two in the process of managing heritage properties, similarly, the landscape around heritage properties has also been neglected while maintaining its historic values. The case of Empress Market and an account of Interventions in the Traditional Historical Buildings will be an interesting read which explores the development of the surrounding vicinity and its contribution to the historical setup of built heritage. Also, the alteration and adaptation in the built heritage. conservation process is the part of discussion throughout this publication which disfigured the heritage property, and its structural elements, as a result, building materials start deteriorating at a faster rate. This issue is not just limited to risk studies, but it has another account of the period, ‘Chaukandi Graveyard’ in Karachi: Historical Background by
Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari, Ph.D., SI, a treat for historians who are interested in funerary architecture and their inter-tribal relationship. This number has a voice from the Mascarene Islands seated in the Southwestern Indian Ocean, discussing explorations, and biological invasion, and highlighting the consequent threats and loss of biodiversity focusing on Mauritius. Another interesting read will be a study on petroglyphs of northern and north-western Pakistan by Dr. Zahir Mohammad that have elements of the
Gandharan stupa and Chinese pagoda constructions tradition To this end, the present number of Sindh Antiquities is an attempt to openly discuss and showcase problems in heritage maintenance and management. However, this has not covered yet the stores of several unused buildings that are decaying rapidly. The frescos on the walls of tombs and monuments, artifacts stored in reserves, the wound inside religious heritage like temples and churches, or the furniture of historic houses are also subject to decay where the adverse weather has its effect on the other hand. Hence, it’s a concern of major neglect. Nowadays, it is also expensive to keep the heritage in a good state. There is a need to study heritage in the context of the “present”. We, therefore, feel the need to involve critical heritage studies in Sindh Antiquities, emphasizing risk elements. It is hoped that this number will increase the interest of archaeologists, heritage practitioners, and researchers in critical studies of heritage with the connection of present social and cultural values. 

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Published: 08 April 2020

Editorial

Zahida Quadri- Editor

It is difficult to imagine an organization or individual that has not been affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. It had a major impact on academic research and has limited the collaboration and communication infrastructure. Many traditional research activities were largely suspended. Publications on the other hand have been severely hit by the closing of office and printing houses. As an Editor of the journal, I also faced many delays. Now, when the activities have resumed after an unplanned and unprecedented stoppage, we are able to continue our Publications, and here is the first issue of Volume 6 of Sindh Antiquities.

Many people deserve some words of gratitude, especially our Panel of Referees for their cooperation and timely reviews, (sometimes the urgent reviews), our publication and designing team whose weekends even utilized in designing this volume, and also our distinguished authors for their patience in seeing it come to publication.

This volume tried to present a good range of topics. With the approval of the Editorial and the Advisory Board of Sindh Antiquities, we have broadened its scope and have revised our criteria for publication. The creation of new categories allows us to expand the variety of excellent research that we can consider for publication. It is therefore this issue contained some very interesting research findings related to archaeological discoveries, architectural theories, funerary architecture, and studies on art history thoroughly.

A paper on the historic state of Paradan, Baluchistan presents new data about the site. One heritage resource that has not been well studied is “heritage lodging”. Studying Historic Hotels providing an interesting overview from the eyes of its visitors. This issue contained a small account of the role of Hotel Metropole in Karachi which is now decided to turn into a park for children and the elderly. The architectural values and education are correlated and very much linked with culture flourished in the surroundings. It has a well-established history of evolution. Islamic funerary architecture in this context, is yet another interesting field to study, although it raises some crucial and extremely difficult questions about the root causes of architecturally glorifying the dead. The section of architectural studies in the present volume with a set of information on cultural and educational theories discussed the function, values associated with them and the relationship between people and spaces. This issue also publishes essays and critical reviews on art. Examination of Jaina Paintings of Nagarparker, Themes, and styles of Turbans, and arm jewelry of Gandhara in this issue widen the understanding of art with different concepts, and meaning that contributed to our social, political, and spiritual life.

The present issue is an attempt to provide a wide range of approaches with a varied scope of topics. It is hoped that broaden the scope of the journal will make it more international and, diverse than ever before.

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Published: 08 April 2020

Editorial

It is great pleasure to thank the readers of 3rd issue of Sindh Antiquities Journal who have well appreciated by all corners of Pakistan as well as abroad.

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