Geochemical and Mineralogical Analysis of Wali-e-Swat Collection of Swat Museum, Pakistan and their Correlation with the Surrounding Geology

Abstract

Swat Museum, Swat was established in 1959 by the then Wali –e-Swat (ruler of Swat State) with the aims to exhibit and preserve the tangible cultural heritage of the region. The Museum has a rich collection of archaeological and ethnological artefacts. Most of the archaeological collection received through scientific excavation have essential contexts which allow the researchers for richer interpretation. However, objects received through donation are without provenance thus losing their academic value. Geochemical and mineralogical analysis of these objects help us understand their quarries. This paper focuses on Wali-e-Swat collection of the Swat Museum and correlates the stone sculptures with the surrounding geology. It is based on the geochemical and mineralogical analysis of 10 stone sculptures selected from Wali –e-Swat collection and as well as petrography of seven samples from surrounding geology.