Involving Local

Communities in
Studying and
Practicing
Archaeology in
Pakistan; a
Case Study
Muzaffar Ahmad
In last five years or so, the author of this paper has
planned, designed and executed programs to promote
archaeology in local communities through a series of
workshops, basic skill building course, short archaeology
and history courses, seminars and conferences.
Participants were kept involved in learning activities at
every level. Special courses were designed for
undergraduates and graduate students belonging to diverse
educational backgrounds were offered a unique course
spontaneously enabling them to appear in MA History exams
as private candidates and to understand and practice
archaeology at masters level. The first Urdu manual of
field archaeology was written by the author and his team
and is being published by Urdu Science Board. This paper
presents a cross-section view of these efforts to promote
community based archaeology education and skills transfer
programs in Pakistan with authors findings, conclusions
and recommendations.
Am I an Archaeologist or a private person?
Pakistani perspective on archaeology and archaeologists
Building of a new
narrative needs not
only chalking out a
policy based on
UNESCOs
recommendations but
also on suggestions
drawn from the study
of history of
archaeology in
Pakistan.

Archaeology is
not too private to Engaging none practicing or
be practiced only
by govt. unemployed archaeology graduates
employees
and other segments of society
into archaeological research is
important. They are
stakeholders.
 Time Line
In 2013 ASAS (Association for the Archaeological Study of Ancient Society)
forum was established.

At first stage, introductory sessions about archaeology were organized in Schools

and Colleges in Tehsil Chiniot of District Chiniot.

Seminars and lectures were arranged in different educational institutions.

Local scholars and people with interest in archaeology and heritage were
provided information needed for their projects and researches.

From 2015 onwards, basic archaeological field skills and courses in archaeology
and history were taught by renowned experts through workshops and field work.

Mock excavations were conducted.

Accidental archeological discoveries in the area were given full attention and the
concerned people were guided and helped.
 Interested local people who showed an interest in in-depth archaeological
training were instructed throughout the year.

Interested participants were taken to different museums and sites. Assignments

were given and were written by participants.

Research methodology and research writing was introduced.

Participants were given the opportunity to interact and to learn from Pakistans
top most archeologists.

Meuseography was introduced as a course. Participants made a small museum

and went through all processes from artifact accession and packing to acrylic
welding.

Certificates were awarded to participants after the successful completion of

every course or workshop.

Urdu, the national language was adopted as medium of education. The first field
manual was written for participants in Urdu which was later published by Urdu
Science Board.
 Human Resource Management for Community archaeology Training by ASAS (2015-16)

Type Foreign Missions Department of Free Lance Private Educational Senior

and Projects Archaeology Punjab Universities Archaeologists Institutions Archaeologists

Response Not asked for Not asked for

Availability Technical Staff in Training and Sponsor and Logistic Training and
private capacity and Teaching without support Teaching without
on payment payment payment

Type of Archaeological Archaeology(differe Museography

Training Photography nt subjects) Museology
CRM
Archaeological Museology Pottery analysis
Illustration Seminars
Lectures
Survey Techniques
Target Groups Illegal antiquity Local Enthusiasts and College and Madrasa Students Participants with less Jobless and
Handlers Historians University Students opportunities to peruse untrained
a regular academic Archaeology
career graduates

Response Occasional visitors Good learners Best learners Excellent in learning

Regular Lazy archaeological skills Clear concepts
Ready to pay part Aggressive Reluctant to work Theoretical
of the costs Demanding against their will approach
Insecurity about a Irregular Very serious
future in Keen to be paid Keen to get jobs
Archaeology Reluctant to learn
new concepts and
skills
We learnt with experience that involvement of Archaeologists in educational and field training
programs especially designed for local communities can produce the ideal atmosphere required
to establish community archaeology in Pakistan. It can also fill in the gap created by
opportunistic tendencies observed in university based and state DOA archaeologists. Interested
community members are self motivated , dedicated and eager to learn if streamlined they
have the potential to revolutionized Pakistan archaeology
Technical Experts
Participants from different age groups and educational
background
How community archaeology
can transform interested
community members into
archaeologists
How community archaeology can transform interested community members
into archaeologists
Transmission of archaeological skills through ASAS courses
How community finds
How archaeology reforms community
expression in archaeology
Community archaeologist can conduct professional research.
Preparation of Best Practices Manuals
 Community archaeology programs can help people with businesses and jobs

Suggestions and recommendations

1. ASAS research and community archaeology

programs should be taken as model and
applied nation wide
2. Community archaeology training centers
should be opened in every district of Pakistan
3. An Independent forum of Archaeologists is
much needed to provide space for integrated
research programs
4. Qualified community archaeologists and
technical experts should be encouraged by
grants and scholarships to pursue their
research interest and to publish
5. Basic archaeological concepts must be added
to the curricula at primary level
 Acknowledgement

Thank you