These findings were published in the British journal Current World Archaeology under the title “The Deepest and Biggest Excavations in the World,” which details the 20 layers uncovered at Gor Kathri (
PESHAWAR: Recent archaeological excavations at Gor Kathri have revealed that Peshawar is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South Asia, boasting a documented history stretching back nearly 2400 years to around 539 BC. This discovery underscores Peshawar’s significant role in the region’s ancient history, making it a focal point for scholars and historians.
Located in the heart of Peshawar, Gor Kathri—a square-shaped compound with a rich and diverse history—has been the site of extensive archaeological work. Renowned Pakistani archaeologists, including Professor F.A. Durrani and Professor Dr. Ihsan Ali, led these excavations, uncovering layers of civilization that paint a vivid picture of Peshawar’s historical and cultural evolution. Bakhtzada Khan, a senior research officer with the Archaeology Department, told the media on Wednesday that the excavations at Gor Kathri were conducted at various times, each revealing new aspects of the city’s past.
These excavations not only confirm Peshawar’s antiquity but also highlight the cultural and traditional influences of multiple civilizations that have flourished in the region over millennia. Gor Kathri, which translates to “Warriors’ Grave,” was first brought to light by Alexander Cunningham, who linked it to the Kanishka stupa. Later, Professor Dr. Ahmed Hassan identified it as the site where the famous Buddha bowl tower once stood. The excavations have unearthed ancient architectural designs, food remnants, and evidence of the languages spoken by the ten oldest civilizations that thrived in Peshawar.
These findings were published in the British journal Current World Archaeology under the title “The Deepest and Biggest Excavations in the World,” which details the 20 layers uncovered at Gor Kathri. These layers provide a comprehensive profile of Peshawar, tracing its history from the British era back to the pre-Indo-Greek period. Peshawar’s history is marked by its status as a province of the Persian Achaemenian Empire between the 4th and 6th centuries BC, followed by successive control by the Mauryans, Greeks, Scythians, Kushans, Sasanians, White Huns, Ghaznavis, Slave Dynasty, Ghoris, Suri Afghans, Mughals, Durrani, Sikhs, and the British.
The city has been a melting pot of various religions over the centuries, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, and eventually Islam. The rich history of Peshawar is further illuminated by discoveries from the Soan Valley in Punjab, which show evidence of human activity dating back to the Early Paleolithic period (around 2 million to 90,000 years ago). Excavations in Sangaro Cave, Mardan, have also revealed human remains from the Middle Paleolithic period (9,000 to 27,000 years ago), indicating a long history of human habitation in the region.
Peshawar’s significance continued through the ages, from Alexander the Great’s invasion in 327 BC to the rise of the Maurya Empire, the Indo-Greeks, and the spread of Buddhism. The city later became a stronghold of Islam after Mahmud Ghaznavi’s victory over the Hindu Shahi King Jayapala in 1001 AD. In the following centuries, Peshawar saw the rise and fall of various empires, including the Mughals, Durranis, and Sikhs, before finally coming under British control in the 19th century. The city’s strategic importance was also evident in the frequent visits by traders and merchants from Central Asia and beyond, who would gather at Peshawar’s famed Qissa Khwani Bazaar to trade goods and share stories.
Today, Peshawar remains a city of immense historical significance, with over 3,000 historical sites, including 1,840 ancient buildings. Sites like Gor Kathri, the Sethi House, and the Peshawar Museum, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of Gandhara art, continue to attract scholars and tourists alike. The excavations at Gor Kathri not only highlight Peshawar’s ancient roots but also underscore its enduring legacy as a cultural and historical crossroads in South Asia.
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