LARKANA: A collection of ancient coins discovered at Mohenjo Daro remains at the site months after a decision to send them to a laboratory in Karachi for analysis.
Officials say a “trust deficit” has stalled the process, with concerns raised that the artefacts could be lost or damaged during transportation.
The coins, weighing around 5.55 kilograms, were found inside an earthen pot during restoration work in November 2023 at the site’s stupa area. Experts believe they may date back to the era of Vasudeva I (circa 200–225 AD).
In January, Director General of Archives and Antiquities Abdul Fatah Shaikh had announced that the coins would be sent to Karachi for scientific examination to determine their age. The study was expected to be completed within a month, after which the artefacts would be returned.
However, sources confirmed that the coins have not been moved and are still kept in the Mohenjo Daro laboratory.
During a meeting of the Technical Consultative Committee of the National Fund for Mohenjo Daro, some experts opposed the relocation. Archaeologist Altaf Aseem said both he and Ghulam Mustafa Shar raised concerns about the safety of the artefacts, fearing theft or damage during transit.
They suggested upgrading the on-site laboratory instead, enabling experts to conduct analysis locally. They also highlighted that many artefacts discovered at the site remain in storage and are yet to be displayed, stressing the need for better preservation and exhibition planning.
Dr Shar noted that similar coins had been discovered about 15 years ago at another nearby site, with some initially taken by locals before partial recovery by authorities.
Experts, including former conservationist Ali Haidar Gadhi, say the newly found coins are likely from the Kushan period. Historical records also show that archaeologist R. D. Banerji had previously uncovered a large number of coins at Mohenjo Daro, many of them linked to the same era.
The delay underscores ongoing concerns over the handling and preservation of valuable archaeological heritage at one of the world’s most significant ancient sites.