The Beads from the Archaeological Site of Barikot:

Preliminary Typological Data from the 2022 Winter Excavation Campaign in Swat, Pakistan

Abstract

This article provides new perspectives on the typology of the beads that have been recovered from the 2022 winter excavation campaign of the archaeological site of Barikot (Swat Valley, Pakistan). The examined samples derive from multiple chronological periods and various archaeological contexts revealed during the recent fieldwork activities at Barikot. Preliminary results from ongoing studies  appear to confirm, through the discussion of specific examples, that the typological characteristics of the latest finds correlate chronologically with the typological and stylistic features of specimens analysed in earlier studies. Evidence of illegal digging and pillaging activities is, likewise, well-documented within the recently revealed built-up area of the site, and the resulting chronological implications are considered in this contribution. This study provides, in addition, evidence for the operation and maintenance of long distance trade and interaction networks between the Swat Valley and other geographic locations between the 1st century BCE and the 11th-12th century CE. The examination of the new specimens from different periods and areas of Barikot provides not only insight into the prevailing ornamental traditions and the daily lifeways of the inhabitants of the city but also considers the broader cultural and historical narratives that were developing in the region during this dynamic time