August 21, 2018
From Pakistan: Save Cultural Heritage Group organized an event for our belated celebrations of
International Archaeology Day in partnership with the Archaeological Institute of America, Silkroad Centre, Department of Sociology and Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations. Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad hosted these belated celebrations of International Archaeology day on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
1. A Lecture and Workshop on Pottery Drawings was arranged on the topic of “Why is pottery important to an archaeologist?” and “An introduction to drawing techniques for Archaeological Ceramics” by Guest speaker Mr. Shakir Naseer from the University of Peshawar. The Archaeological and Ethnological Museum of Quaid-i-Azam University remained open and free for admission of all university students and participants of the event.
2. A Panel Discussion on “What Cultural Heritage Studies can contribute to the contemporary Pakistan?” at SPIR, QAU was organized by Save Cultural Heritage Group with the collaboration of the Department of Sociology, Quaid-i-Azam University. The panelists included Dr. Imran Sabir, Sociologist at QAU; Dr. Ijlal Hussainpur, Executive Director of Silkroad Centre; Dr. Mamoon Khan GPC, Rawalpindi; Mr. Zarar Babri, faculty member of Islamic Arts and Architecture Studies at International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI); Dr. Ghani-ur-Rahman, Director, Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. Muhammad Ibrahim on behalf of Save Cultural Heritage Group thanked the AIA and Dr. Muhammad Zaman, Sociologist, for facilitating such an insightful discussion on one of the burning issues the discipline of archaeology and cultural heritage studies is facing.
3. A Workshop was conducted (from 9am to 1pm at the TIAC workshop area near the Central Library) for students on the topic of Experimental Archaeology by Mr. Abdul Basit from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.
4. Selfie Games were arranged for participants throughout the day (at MBA from 9am to 6pm). A red carpet backdrop was draped in the front QASMS, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad for everyone to take selfies and win discounts on books, journals published by tiac, mugs, shirts decorated with the QAU crest, free Salon services from blazon salon, travelling and adventures tickets, musical and movie tickets, etc.
Details of the panel discussion:
Mr. Zarar Babari from department of Islamic Arts and Architecture Studies, International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) shared views on “Different schools of modern art have fared very well in Pakistan. However, studies in ancient traditions of art, such as Gandhara art and Indus art etc., lag behind. What could be done for promoting and encouraging quality works in relation to this rather disowned heritage?” and “Definition of cultural heritage from the viewpoint of art and architecture and utility of cultural heritage studies in Pakistan.”
Dr. Ijlal Hussainpur from Silkroad Centre shared views on “Archaeology and anthropology, being sister disciplines, have come closer and closer over the last few decades. But Pakistani archaeologists and anthropologists have not yet envisaged any such possibility. How do you see this situation?” and “Definition of cultural heritage from the viewpoint of linguistic/anthropology and utility of cultural heritage studies in Pakistan.”
Dr. Ghani-ur-Rahman from Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad shared views on “If history is a continuous dialogue between the past and the present, then how can we inculcate such a sense of history in our people so that they start to own the past for the clear purpose of benefiting from the past?” and “Definition of cultural heritage from the viewpoint of Archaeology and History and utility of cultural heritage studies in Pakistan.”
Dr. Imran Sabir from Department of Sociology shared views on “How far sociological research in Pakistan has been informed by latest developments in sociological theory? Contributions of sociology to socio-cultural life in the country.” and “Definition of cultural heritage from the viewpoint of Sociology and utility of cultural heritage studies in Pakistan.”
Dr. Mamoona Khan from GPC, Rawalpindi shared views on “Ancient and medieval architecture is seriously threatened by extinction. How could the situation be coped with?” and “Definition of cultural heritage from the viewpoint of architectural studies and utility of cultural heritage studies in Pakistan.”
The panelists stressed to need to continue such dialogue and discussions between researchers of the diverse disciplines related to Archaeology.
We invite you to check out photos of the event here:
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Best Regards,
Muhammad Ibrahim
SCHG, Pakistan
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International Archaeology Day Blog
