Traces of Alexander in Pakistan?

Archaeological news from Pakistan only reaches us sparingly. As a result, the remote Swat Valley remains as hidden to us as it was in the days of Sir Aurel Stein and even Alexander! 

[The Battlefield of Alexander. Picture from Shafeeq Gigyani]

That does not mean that the northwestern corner of Pakistan was totally isolated in antiquity. Approximately 150 Buddhist heritage sites have been counted so far. The Buddhist monastery in Barikot (Bazira in antiquity) from the 1st century AD was the latest (see: Old Buddhist complex discovered in Pakistan). 

Alexander certainly crossed the Swat Valley, which was then part of India. The spectacular hoard of coins retrieved from a well at Mir Zakah is there to prove his presence (see: Alexander’s real face). 

More recent excavations high on a hill overlooking the Swat Valley revealed an ancient cemetery. Pending Carbon dating, archaeologists suggest that this was the burial site of the Dardic people who lived here between 1000 and 500 BC. As many as 32 sealed graves were discovered, shedding light upon the burial rituals of this community. It appears that the graves were used for more than one generation, adding the dead to the existing burial site. Typically, the graves contained two skeletons, one male and one female, facing each other. 

In 327 BC, Alexander marched through the Swat Valley and the village of Udegram or Odigram. In antiquity this was the large city of Ora, surrounded by defensive walls running up the slopes of the high mountain. It is roughly located between Swat and Barikot. This is the area populated by the Assacenians who sought refuge on the Aornos Rock. 

[Picture from Livius]

Amazingly enough, none of the graves contained any weapons. Archaeologists discovered, however, hairpins, some pieces of iron, beautiful pots, and a variety of ornaments executed in copper and in bronze. 

Most of the excavations in the Swat Valley are centered on Barikot, although the cemetery of Udegram holds important treasures of its own. As always, the main concern is to find enough money and the right expertise to proceed further.