The Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan celebrates its 70th anniversary and launches new project “Khyber PATH"

On 25 October, the city of Saidu Sharif in Swat, Pakistan, hosted the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan — today jointly managed by ISMEO (the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies) and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.

The archaeological activities of the Italian Mission in Swat dates back to 1955, when Giuseppe Tucci, the renowned Tibetologist and orientalist, visited the region for the first time. That visit marked the beginning of a remarkable and uninterrupted archaeological activity of the Mission that has continued for seven decades, shaping the study and preservation of Pakistan’s archaeological heritage. Under Tucci’s leadership, the Mission — then part of the former IsMEO, now ISMEO — soon became a pioneering force in Gandharan archaeology and a symbol of scientific cooperation between the two countries.

The anniversary ceremony opened with a message from the Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Marilina Armellin, who emphasized the Mission’s contribution to enhancing Pakistan’s global cultural visibility and strengthening the historic partnership between Italy and Pakistan. Her remarks set the tone for a series of speeches by Pakistani and Italian representatives, all reaffirming their longstanding support for the Mission’s work.

During the event, a message was also shared from Tiziana Lippiello, Rector of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, who stated: “The Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan is celebrating its 70th anniversary today — seventy years of exploring Pakistan’s rich heritage and of building cultural bridges and a deep, lasting friendship between our two countries. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice is proud of its international vocation and of its commitment to learning from the world, especially from Asia, by making its knowledge available to our student community and by deepening our understanding of the past and present through collaborative research.”

The second part of the event focused on the Mission’s close collaboration with Pakistani universities and cultural association. Representatives from several academic institutions highlighted the Mission’s pivotal role in training new generations of archaeologists through seminars and field activities. They also praised the Mission’s contribution to sustainable tourism, particularly through the ACT Project (2011–2017), which helped promote eco-tourism in the region. 

The ceremony concluded with the launch by the current Director of the Mission, Prof. Luca Maria Olivieri (University of Venice) of a new three-year project: the “Khyber PATH (Professions for Climate Adaptation, ecoTourism and Heritage)”, led by Ca’ Foscari University in partnership with the DGOAM of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and implemented locally by ISCOS INGO. Funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through AICS with 3 million euros, the project aims to develop a touristic mountain trail along a 125-kilometre route linking eight major archaeological sites from Taxila to Barikot, that will be focus of archaeological research, conservation activities and musealization programs. 

During the launch, Prof. Olivieri announced “the ongoing excavations at Zalamkot, along the ancient Hati-lar where a previously unknown large Gandharan city has been discovered. According to our recent (re)reading of a bilingual inscription, (Sanskrit-Persian), it is the city named after the last king of the Hindu Shahi dynasty, Jayapālanagara.” Despite significant logistical challenges, the work has been made possible through the active collaboration of the local community led by the poet, writer, and archaeologist Abdul Nasir of Alladan-dheri. 

Seventy years after its foundation, the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan continues to stand as a model of scientific excellence — with much more than 1000 publications — and a point of reference also for cultural cooperation and sustainable development in the region and for the training of local professionals in the field of archaeology, the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage. The breadth of participation in the anniversary celebration reflected this impact: university professors, provincial and federal authorities, female and male students, local cultural associations, representatives of publishing house, architects involved in heritage projects, journalists, and members of the local communities from the sites where the Mission operates all gathered to honour this shared journey.