[Logos]

The Bannu Archaeological Project

[The Neolithic site of Sheri Khan]
Sheri Khan Tarakai Neolithic site

[The Chalcolithic site of Lewan]
The Chalcolithic site of Lewan

[The Early Historic site of Akra]
The Early Historic site of Akra

[Book cover]

The Bannu Archaeological Project (or BAP) is a collaborative archaeological project involving scholars from the Pakistan Heritage Society, University College London, The British Museum, Bryn Mawr College and the University of Cambridge. The Bannu Archaeological Project worked in and around Bannu District, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan between 1985 and 2001, during which time a long list of Later Prehistoric and Early Historic sites were discovered and recorded.

The Neolithic site of Sheri Khan Tarakai was the subject of focused excavations for a number of years, and the results of these excavations are currently being prepared for publication in a monograph. Sheri Khan Tarakai is now known to be the second oldest village farming settlement in south Asia.

Between 1995 and 2001, the project focussed its research on the Chalcolithic site of Lewan and the Early Historic site of Akra. The new excavations at Lewan have showed that the site was occupied in both the Tochi-Gomal and Kot Diji phases, suggesting that it is critical for understanding the rise of complex societies in the NWFP in late prehistory. The site of Akra covers some 80 hectares and is the largest archaeological site in the Bannu area. Material in the collections of the Department of Asia at the British Museum suggests that the site was first occupied roughly 4000 years ago and the recent excavations suggest that the site continued to be occupied until the 11th century AD.

The BAP has published two volumes and numerous articles presenting the results of its research. Two PhD dissertations have also been completed. A full list of these publications as at July 2007 is shown below and can also be downloaded in PDF or EndNote format.

Publications

[1]	Petrie C.A., Magee P., and Khan M.N. (2008). Emulation at the edge of empire: The adoption of non-local vessel forms in the NWFP, Pakistan during the mid–late 1st millenium BC. Gandharan Studies, 2:pp. 1–16. `http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/~cap59/bannu-archaeological-project/petrie2008_01.pdf`

[2]	Petrie C.A. and Magee P. (2007). Histories, epigraphy and authority: Achaemenid and indigenous control in Pakistan in the 1st millennium BC. Gandharan Studies, 1. `http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/~cap59/bannu-archaeological-project/petrie2007_02.pdf`

[3] Petrie C.A., Morris J.C., Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (2007). The dynamics of ceramic production and distribution during the later prehistoric Sheri Khan Tarakai, Tochi-Gomal and Kot Diji phases of the Bannu and Gomal regions, NWFP, Pakistan. South Asian Studies, 23:pp. 75–94. http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/~cap59/bannu-archaeological-project/petrie2007_01.pdf

[4]

Magee P., Khan F., Knox J.R., Petrie C.A., and Thomas K.D. (2005a). Exploring Iron Age complexity in the North West Frontier Province, Pakistan: The 2000 season of excavations at Akra by the Bannu archaeological project. In: C. Jarrige and V. Lefévre (eds.), South Asian Archaeology 2001: Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Conference on South Asian Archaeology, European Association of South Asian Archaeologists, Paris, 2–6 July 2001, volume I, pp. 201–206. Paris: Éditions Recherche sur les Civilisations

[5]	Magee P., Petrie C.A., Knox J.R., Khan F., and Thomas K.D. (2005b). The Achaemenid empire in South Asia and recent excavations at Akra in northwest Pakistan. American Journal of Archaeology, 109:pp. 711–741

[6]	Morris J.C. (2005). The late 1st and early 2nd millennia AD at akra, N.W.F.P., Pakistan. In: C. Jarrige and V. Lefévre (eds.), South Asian Archaeology 2001, pp. 93–99. Paris: Éditions Recherche sur les Civilisations

[7]

Petrie C.A. (2005a). The late 1st and early 2nd millennia AD at Akra, N.W.F.P., Pakistan. In: C. Jarrige and V. Lefévre (eds.), South Asian Archaeology 2001: Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Conference on South Asian Archaeology, European Association of South Asian Archaeologists, Paris, 2–6 July 2001, volume II, pp. 607–614. Paris: Éditions Recherche sur les Civilisations

[8]

Petrie C.A. (2005b). Ceramic production and distribution in the late 1st and early 2nd millennia AD Akra, Bannu, NWFP. In: U. Franke-Vogt and H.J. Weisshaar (eds.), South Asian Archaeology 2003: Proceedings of the Seventeenth International Conference of the European Association of South Asian Archaeologists (7–11 July 2003, Bonn), pp. 533–540. Aachen

[9]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (2004a). Stamped terracotta cakes from Tochi Gomal Phase at Jhandi Badar: A new element. Ancient Pakistan, 15 (2002):pp. 105–117

[10]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (2004b). West of the Indus: The chronology of settlement in the protohistoric culture phases, with special reference to the Bannu region. Ancient Pakistan, 15 (2002):pp. 119–125

[11]	Morris J.C. (2004a). `agency' theory applied: A study of later prehistoric lithic assemblages from northwest Pakistan. In: A. Gardner (ed.), Agency Uncovered: Archaeological Perspectives on Social Agency, Power and Being Human, pp. 51–63. London: UCL Press

[12]	Morris J.C. (2004b). Lithic Technology and Cultural Change during the Later Prehistoric Period of Northwest South Asia. Ph.D. thesis, UCL

[13]	Morris J.C. and Thomas K.D. (2003). Excavations at the later prehistoric site of Lewan, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan. Papers of the Institute of Archaeology, 13:pp. 94–100

[14]	Thomas K.D. (2003). Minimising risk? approaches to pre-Harappan human ecology on the north-west margin of the Greater Indus system. In: S. Weber (ed.), Indus Ethnobiology: New Perspectives from the Field, pp. 397–430. Portland: Rowman and Littlefield

[15]	Petrie C.A. (2002). Regional Economy in the late 1st and early 2nd millennia AD: Akra, NWFP, Pakistan. Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney

[16]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (2001). Bannu: Melting pot for cultural change in the proto-historic periods. In: M.A. Halim and A. Ghafoor (eds.), Indus Valley Civilisation: Dialogue Among Civilisations, pp. 71–96. Islamabad: Ministry of Minorities, Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth

[17]	Morris J.C. and Ashton N. (2001). The lithic assemblage from the Neolithic site of Sheri Khan Tarakai, NWFP, Pakistan: The technological interpretation and the resultant socioeconomic interpretations. Paléorient, 27 (1):pp. 127–139

[18]	Khan F., Knox J.R., Magee P., Petrie C.A., and Thomas K.D. (2000a). Preliminary report on the fourth season of excavation at Akra, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan. Journal of Asian Civilisations, 23 (2):pp. 105–136

[19]	Khan F., Knox J.R., Magee P.G., and Thomas K.D. (2000b). Akra: The Ancient Capital of Bannu, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan. Journal of Asian Civilisations. Islamabad: Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations

[20]	Khan F., Knox J.R., Morris J.C., and Thomas K.D. (2000c). A preliminary account of archaeological survey and excavations at Lewan (Bannu Division). Journal of Asian Civilisations, 23 (2):pp. 57–104

[21]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (2000d). The Bannu archaeological project: Archaeological explorations and excavations in Bannu Division, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan, 1985–2000. Journal of Asian Civilisations, 23 (2):pp. 1–6

[22]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (2000e). Jhandi Babar, a new site in the Gomal Plain, and the Sheri Khan Tarakai culture complex. Journal of Asian Civilisations, 23 (2):pp. 25–50

[23]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (2000f). Settlements and settlement systems in the southwest Gomal Plain in the proto-historic period. Journal of Asian Civilisations, 23 (2):pp. 7–23

[24]

Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (2000g). Ter Kala Dheri: The site, excavations, artifacts and chronology. In: F. Khan, J.R. Knox, P. Magee, and K.D. Thomas (eds.), Akra: The Ancient Capital of Bannu, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan, pp. 81–100. Islamabad: Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations

[25]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (2000h). The `Tochi-Gomal phase': An early 3rd millenniumc BC culture horizon in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan Divisions, Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan. Journal of Asian Civilisations, 23 (2):pp. 51–56

[26]	Petrie C.A. (2000). Recent discovery of a stone-walled structure, Husseini Ziarat Mound, Akra. In: F. Khan, J.R. Knox, P.G. Magee, and K.D. Thomas (eds.), Akra: The Ancient Capital of Bannu, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan, pp. 132–135. Islamabad: Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations

[27]

Thomas K.D. (1999). Getting a life: Stability and change in social and subsistence systems on the North-West Frontier, Pakistan, in later prehistory. In: C. Gosden and J. Hather (eds.), The Prehistory of Food: Appetites for Change, volume 32 of One World Archaeology, pp. 306–321. London: Routledge

[28]	Khan F., Knox J.R., Magee P., and Thomas K.D. (1997). Excavation at Akra. Punjab Journal of Archaeology and History, 1:pp. 23–26

[29]	Thomas K.D., Knox J.R., and Khan F. (1997). Technology transfer and culture change: An example from northwest Pakistan. In: R. Allchin and B. Allchin (eds.), South Asian Archaeology 1995, pp. 237–251. New Delhi: Oxford University Press and IBH

[30]	Thomas K.D. and Knox J.R. (1994). Routes of passage: Later prehistoric settlement and exploitation of a frontier region in northwestern Pakistan. Bulletin of the Institute of archaeology, University College London, 31:pp. 89–104

[31]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (1992). Tradition, identity and individuality: Exploring the cultural relationships of Sheri Khan Tarakai. Pakistan Archaeology, 27:pp. 156–174

[32]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (1991). Explorations and Excavations in Bannu District, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan, 1985–1988, volume 80 of British Museum Occasional Papers. London: British Museum, Department of Oriental Antiquities

[33]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (1990a). The Bannu archaeological project: Investigations at Sheri Khan Tarakai 1987–1989. South Asian Studies, 6:pp. 241–247. `http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/~cap59/bannu-archaeological-project/khan1990_01.pdf`

[34]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (1990b). Sheri Khan Tarakai: A Neolithic village in Bannu District, NWFP. In: M. Taddei and P. Callieri (eds.), South Asian Archaeology 1987, pp. 111–127. Rome: Istituto Italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente

[35]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (1990c). Towards a model for proto historic subsistence systems in the Bannu District, NWFP. In: M. Taddei and P. Callieri (eds.), South Asian Archaeology 1987, pp. 129–141. Rome: Istituto Italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente

[36]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (1989). New perspectives on early settlement in Bannu District, Pakistan. In: K. Frifelt and P. Sorensen (eds.), South Asian Archaeology 1985, pp. 281–291. London: Curzon Press

[37]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (1988). Prehistoric and protohistoric settlements in Bannu District. Pakistan Archaeology, 23:pp. 99–148

[38]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (1987). The Bannu archaeological project: A study of prehistoric settlement in Bannu district, Pakistan. South Asian Studies, 3:pp. 83–90. `http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/~cap59/bannu-archaeological-project/khan1987_01.pdf`

[39]	Khan F., Knox J.R., and Thomas K.D. (1986). Sheri Khan Tarakai: A new site in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. Journal of Central Asia, 9:pp. 13–34

[40]	Khan F., Knox J.R., Magee P., Petrie C.A., and Thomas K.D. (in pressa). Preliminary report on three seasons of excavation and survey at Akra, North-west Frontier Province, Pakistan. Pakistan Archaeology

[41]	Khan F., Knox J.R., Magee P., Thomas K.D., and Petrie C.A. (in pressb). Further research on the later prehistory of the Bannu Basin: The 1998 excavations at Akra. In: R. Raven and G. Possehl (eds.), South Asian Archaeology 1999. Groningen: Forsten Publishing

[42]	Khan F., Knox J.R., Thomas K.D., Morris J.C., and Petrie C.A. (in preparation). Sheri Khan Tarakai and the Neolithic in Bannu and the Gomal, volume 1 of Bannu Archaeological Project Survey and Excavations 1985–2001 Project Monographs. Oxford: Oxbow Books

[43]

Magee P. and Petrie C.A. (in press). West of the Indus—east of the empire: The archaeology of the pre-Achaemenid and Achaemenid periods in Baluchistan and the North West Frontier Province, Pakistan. In: J. Curtis and S.J. Simpson (eds.), The World of Achaemenid Persia Conference Proceedings. London: Iran Heritage Foundation

[44]	Petrie C.A. (in preparation). Living in the Borderlands: The Archaeology and History of the Bannu Basin from the Kushans to the Ghaznavids. Islamabad: to be submitted to OUP Pakistan

[45]	Petrie C.A., Khan F., Knox J.R., Magee P., Morris J.C., and Thomas K.D. (in press). Prehistoric and historic ceramic production in the Bannu basin, N.W.F.P., Pakistan: A review. Ancient Pakistan, XVI