Ancient relics unearthed at Bhera
From our correspondent

7 November 2003

ISLAMABAD - An excavation team of Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations and Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad has discovered antiquities of Iron Age, Achaemenian (553-330BC), Greek (321-184BC) and Mauryan (14BC).

The excavation led by from Dr M. Salim of the Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations made the discovery in Greek city of Bhera, about 100km southwest of Islamabad.

The ancient Bhera mounds are known as Barrian, which once flourished on the west bank of the River Jhelum.

The battlefield of Alexander-Pours appears to be around Jalalpur-Ahmadabad-Mong area.

The pottery of 800-600BC has gray ware, red ware and buff ware with red painted designs. A terracotta figure of an elephant has been collected. The Soak wells were made of some 10 feet in height. Such Soak wells and filled with refuse have been found at Bhir Mound at Taxila. Further research and excavations can reveal reek stratum with Metropolis centre, coins and Salt Range capital from where salt was exported.

Sir Aurel Stein investigated this site. Cunningham identified old Bhera with the Palace of Sopeithes, where Alexander met his Greek forces. Later the great Chinese traveller, Fa Hien, mentions Bhera in his accounts and Babur in his memoirs. Greek historian Arrian in his Anabasis narrates the palace of Sopeithes.