Evolution of tape to electronic mapping in Pakistan’s archaeology: A case study of Buddhist and Late Medieval periods sites in District Mansehra

Abstract

The mapping of archaeological sites and artifacts within excavation units is essential for proper documentation in exploration and excavation. Many traditional techniques for mapping archaeological sites have been used during the colonial period and still are being practiced in different field activities by archaeologists of Pakistan. The use of digital mapping using a total station for creating digital maps of archaeological sites is gradually being adopted in modern excavations. This paper will present a comparison of maps made by earlier techniques and newer digital maps using examples from the Buddhist sites of Zar Dheri, Bado Dhari site, and Guli Bagh, as well as some of the late Muslim medieval period sites from District Mansehra, Pakistan. All these sites have been recently excavated and documented by the Department of Archaeology Hazara University, Mansehra with the financial support of Higher Education Commission Pakistan and administrative support of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museum Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.