Lower Swat Valley

The Lower Swat Valley in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contains major archaeological sites spanning 3,000 years, concentrated around Barikot, Odigram, and Saidu Sharif. Barikot is identified as ancient Bazira, sacked by Alexander the Great in 326 BC, and has been excavated by an Italian mission since 1984. The region preserves remains of the Gandhara grave culture, over 400 Buddhist stupas and monasteries across 160 sq km, and buildings of the Shahi Period. Chinese pilgrim Hsuan-Tsang reported 1,400 monasteries in Swat during his 7th-century visit.