Main Group (Soon Sakesar_ Archaeology, History and Culture)By Adnan Alam Awan

The unexplored archaeology of SoonSakesar valley is an open invitation for the Archaeologists, Historians and Researches to unlock the mysteries of past. This area has been habited by Prehistoric Man, There are numerous caves that require scientific archaeological excavations. The ancient civilizations have been ruling this valley and left his traces behind. Buddhism had a strong hold of this valley for many centuries and thus history has been playing its role for Soonsakesar valley either conquered or Conqueror.
Very rare scientific Archaeological studies have been carried out throughout the valley and no preservation and protection of these sites is provided by the Government, however it is also the responsibility of the locals to understand the important of their history and to play an active role for the preservation and restoration of these archaeological sites for the coming generations and this group has the same mission primarily focusing on Archaeology.
Traces of ancient man in the SoonSakesar valley can be found even long before the world oldest civilizations. At the end of last ice age that melted down around 10,000 years ago, the northern Pakistan finally settled into its present topographic and morphological features. SoonSakesar valley is located at the toe of northern Pakistan.
The climatological, geographical and environmental scenario of the SoonSakesar valley has been the most suitable for the ancient man to stay here long before the advent of civilizations. It is an area that was moderate in climate, where summer seasons were pleasant and winter were not as hostile as the snow covered northern areas of Pakistan. So man evolved here during Stone Age in caves and natural shelters through all the three Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. Human footprints present in the limestone formation of the valley very clearly indicate the traces of Stone Age. So for we know only about Homo Sapiens, but who knows that future deep Archaeological studies may reveal the traces left behind by Homo Erectus, Homo Habilis, Australopithecus or Pakipithecus and among these the first SoonSakesarian may then be finally highlighted. Most of these sites are near springs and water bodies and food was sufficient because hunting was easier in mountainous landscape as compared with plain areas.
The major archaeological sites of the valley are as following,
1. Fort and Hindu Shahi Temples of 9 A.D. at Amb Sharif.
2. Temples at Sakesar.
3. Human foot Prints (Fossils) at Daep Sharif.
4. Ruins of temples at Shakar Kot.
5. Archaeological mounds north of Naushahra.
6. Akrand cliff Fort near Kanhati garden.
7. Ruins of a central jail of Indo-Parthian kingdom near Bhanaka.
8. Hindu temple at Narsing Phoohar.
9.Tulajh Cliff fort near Khura.
10. Kot Magan Cliff fort near Jahlar.
11. Hardo Sodhi cliff Fort.
12. Remains of Bhuddist stupa at Hardo Sodhi.
13. Pre-Historic caves.
14. Stone terraces (graves) of different shape and sizes of Budhist period.
15. Ruins of small settlements of different periods scattered all over the valley.




Admin of Group
Adnan Alam Awan
http://www.soonsakesar-history.com/