Foreign experts participate in walk on Thatta heritage sites
THATTA: A group of foreign archaeologists and researchers associated with the Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) on Saturday participated in a walk and joined an extensive visit to the heritage sites of Thatta district.
Prof Dr Stéphane Pradines, Helena Marie Renel, Olivier Onésime, Betty Lia Marie Rami and Leonardo Squelloni briefed the local participants of the walk on the historical importance of the region and research work being carried out on these sites.
The walk was organised by the district administration in collaboration with the Sindh Antiquities, Archaeology and Culture Department.
Apart from the foreign archaeologists, those who participated in the walk were local experts, historians, scholars and civil society activists, besides officials of the relevant departments.
They visited the tombs of Mirza Jani Beg, Mirza Isa Khan Tarkhan, Diwan Sharfaa Khan, Jam Nizamuddin Samoon, Mai Makli, Jam Unar Khan, Jam Mubarak (Dullah Darya Khan), Sultan Arghun and Sultan Ghaus, besides several other historical sites including the Old Jamia Mosque and Madressah Hammad Jamali.
The experts apprised the walk participants of the historical, religious and architectural significance of the sites.
Thatta Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Ali Bhagat, speaking to them, said that this region had remained a centre of Sindh’s glorious past. Its heritage, particularly in Makli, is internationally recognised as historically and archaeologically important.
He stressed the need for effective protection, restoration and promotion of these sites to connect the young and future generations with their history and culture. He added that such initiatives would help promote tourism and contribute to local economic development.
Curator Ghayoor Abbas Shah and officers of the archaeology department also held briefings for the participants at each monument.
The group of foreign archaeologists have been conducting an extensive research on the heritage site across Thatta, Makli and Banbhore. They believed the region had been an important hub of Islamic and cultural history for centuries.
After the walk, a reception was held for the archaeologists and other guests.
The event also featured a cultural music show.
Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2026
