Challenges and Issues of Mehrgarh, Bolan district, Balochistan

Abstract

The thematic revue of this study aims to address current issues and challenges in the Bolan district of the Mehrgarh site in Balochistan. The ruins of Mehrgarh are considered an attractive place and an ancient hamlet all over the world. The archaeological perspective of the ancient site Mehrgarh is very rich. The archaeological significance of this site has immense importance as it is the oldest settlement in South Asia. Several senior researchers have shed light on how the region witnessed several dynastic rules of different protagonist powers in which they built their political strategies and sought to spread awareness, unity and sovereignty. In this regard, the archaeological process in the region has provided the basis for many archaeological studies, surveys and excavations. According to some eminent archaeologists and educated historians, the Mehrgarh site is not far from the Bolan River, as recurring floods have gradually destroyed the site. They further emphasize that when people visited the site, they were trying to destroy the Mehrgarh cultural relics, which faced both natural and manmade destruction. In the context of this quest, the Mehrgarh site faces many problems and challenges, including; illegal diggings, artifact smugglings, lack of funds, government non-seriousness and tribal feuds ( The site became a disastrous victim of a tribal feud between two main Baloch tribes the Rind’s and the Raisani tribes). The current study will address long-term conservation initiatives for these treasures and several other issues and challenges at the Mehrgarh site in the particular context of the Bolan region.