DADU: Unesco experts Thierry Joffroy and his colleague Cristina Menegazzi joined French archaeological mission’s excavation work at Chanhu Jo Daro on Tuesday.

Mr Joffroy suggested use of geo-textile on the site for its protection from floods in future and shared his experience with the French team on how to further protect the site from salt as it was one of the major problems the Indus Civilisation sites in Sindh faced. The excavation was being carried out in collaboration with the Directorate General of Antiquities and Archaeology.

The Unesco delegation also visited the site’s museum and discussed with Dr Aurore Didier, head of the French mission, and Ms Zahida Quadri, head of Pakistan’s excavation team, the possibility of providing technical assistance to the department.

The delegation expressed interest in training the site’s staff and students of University of Sindh, Jamshoro; Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro; Aror University of Arts, Architecture, Design and Heritages, Sukkur, and other universities.

Ms Menegazzi, who was associated with International Council of Museums (ICOM), discussed with Ms Quadri, present chair of International Committee for Regional Museums (ICR), future collaboration with Directorate General of Antiquities & Archaeology.

They agreed to conduct training and create awareness for supporting museum workers and understanding how museums in Sindh could further contribute to Sustainable Development Goals.

“Since the nature of work at Mohenjo Daro and Chanhu Jo Daro is same, Unesco experts have joined the excavation work with French archaeologists,” said Sindh Minister for Culture, Tourism and Archeology, Syed Sardar Ali Shah.

“We are going to make history by carrying out preservation and restoration work at Chanhu Jo Daro as another chapter of history is going to unearth like that of Mohenjo Daro,” he said.

“Many areas have been outlined and excavation has been started at Chanhu Jo Daro. Already, many new artifacts resembling those of Mohenjo Daro have been discovered,” said Ms Quadri, head of Pakistan excavation team.

“Results so far of the excavation and research are encouraging. The Sindh culture, tourism and archaeology department is getting close to opening a new chapter in human history,” she said.

“Using geo-textile to protect the site from floods in future is one of the best methods. It is also suggested to protect the site from salt as it is one of the major problems of Indus period sites in Sindh,” said Mr Joffroy.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2023