13/10/2025
Prof. Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri Delivered Lecture at the University of Swat
Prof. Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri, from the University of Ca' Foscari, Venice, and Director of the Italian Archaeological Mission to Pakistan (IAMP), delivered an insightful lecture at the University of Swat on the topic “The Unique Archaeological Site of Vajirastana/Barikot: New Archaeological Data on the Indian North-West (6th Century BCE to 10th Century CE).”
The lecture was organized under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the University of Swat and the Italian Archaeological Mission to Pakistan on August 25, 2025.
Prof. Dr. Hassan Sher (SAARC Gold Medalist), Vice Chancellor of the University of Swat, warmly welcomed the distinguished guest speaker and graced the event with his presence. The session was attended by Prof. Dr. Anwar Hussain, Dean, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences; Dr. Zarawar Khan, In-Charge, Department of Archaeology; Dr. Aatif Iqbal, In-Charge, Department of Tourism and Hospitality; Mr. Muhammad Waliullah, Lecturer in Archaeology; along with faculty members and students from the Departments of Archaeology, Tourism and Hospitality, Sociology, Economics and Development Studies, and the Hunerkada Centre of Excellence, University of Swat.
The highlighted the significance of the urban centre of Barikot (ancient Vajirastana) and its archaeological remains in shaping the history of Swat from the 6th century BCE to the 10th century CE. Drawing upon data retrieved from the archaeological excavations at Barikot, Dr. L.M.O. emphasized that Swat has historically been a fertile and prosperous agricultural region, producing double crops annually since ancient times.
He also stated that one of the main motives behind the Yousafzai occupation of Swat was to gain control over its fertile lands, enriched by the waters of the Swat River and its tributary streams. Citing references from the Babur Nama of Emperor Babur of the Mughal dynasty and the Swat Nama of Khushal Khan Khattak, Dr. Olivieri underlined the region’s economic prosperity during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Furthermore, he identified three major periods of interruption during which Swat was completely deserted due to various factors, particularly environmental and climatic changes, political instability, and natural hazards. Otherwise, Swat remained a major “granary pocket” for the downstream districts until the construction of the Malakand Canal by the British administration following their occupation of the region in 1895.
The lecture was followed by question-and-answer session, during which students and faculty members actively participated and raised several questions.
At the conclusion of the event, Prof. Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri was presented with a souvenir shield by the Honourable Vice Chancellor, University of Swat, Prof. Dr. Hassan Sher, in recognition of his valuable contribution and collaboration with the University.
