Center For Documentation, Hyderabad

Sindh has a rich cultural history that is reflected in the innumerable archaeological sites and monuments spread throughout the province. In order to capture the diversity, scale and distribution of these sites across Sindh, the Centre for Documentation and Conservation (CDC) in Jamshoro headed by Dr. Nilofer Shaikh an eminent archaeologist was established in November 2013, with the following objectives:

• Documentation and mapping of cultural heritage sites in Sindh.
• Research for the development of better methods of conservation.
• Technical studies of art and archaeological materials.
• Technical assistance to museums, archaeological departments and other institutions.
• Training.
• Publications.
• International liaison.

Between 2016-2020, the achievements of CDC have been highlighted in the project ‘Documentation of the Heritage of Sindh’, which is an inventory of all archaeological and built heritage sites in 29 districts in Sindh. This inventory records the location, site details, protection status and brief condition assessment of each site. Since 2013, a total number of 319 sites have been surveyed, out of which 161 have been documented with photographs, architectural drawings, and detailed condition and material assessments. While such reports provide the team with the necessary baseline data to formulate a conservation plan, they are also important records that provide an archival snapshot of these sites at a specific point in time.

The following is a list of the sites surveyed and documented by CDC. The sites are listed according to their district, and each entry includes a ground plan, front elevation, photographs and site/architectural details. The sites in Larkana, Qamber-Shadadkot, Khairpur and Sukkur were partially surveyed with the team of the Department of Archaeology, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur.

The survey and documentation work is on-going and the CDC team is currently surveying sites in District Badin.

Another significant component of documentation involves capturing the artistic elements of heritage buildings, specifically designs and motifs found in kashi tile panels, carved ornamentation and fresco illustrations.

Other activities that the CDC has been involved in include heritage awareness campaigns, such as the Awareness, Documentation and Conservation Programme ‘Save Shikarpur’s Heritage’ (with the District Government of Shikarpur), in January 2018. CDC has also organised and participated in a number of seminars and workshops, including:

1. Seminar on ‘Archaeological Heritage of Sindh’ in November 2016.
2. Workshop on ‘Methods and Techniques of Archaeological Survey, Excavation and Conservation’ in September 2018
3. Participation in workshop on ‘Geometry in Design’ at NED University Karachi in March 2019.
4. Lecture programme on ‘Geometry in Design and Soil Science’ in April 2019.

These teachings were put into practice during the archaeological excavation project at Kot Bambhan in November 2018. This project was aimed at capacity building of archaeology, engineering and architecture students from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, Sindh University and Mehran Engineering University, Jamshoro along with Sindh Culture Department officials and CDC-EFT Hyderabad staff. Participants were trained in conservation and preparing contour maps, laying a grid on the site and excavating an archaeological site.

In May 2017, an MoU was signed between Shah Abdul Latif University (Khairpur), EFT, University of Pompeu Fabra (Spain) and Japanese Center For South Asian Culture Heritage (Japan) for collaboration on archaeological and paleo-environmental studies, as well as preservation of the cultural heritage of Sindh.