Site 7: Asota

The site is located at 34° 23'72” N, 72°33'97″E at an average altitude of 356.00 meters above sea level, near the village of Asota Sharif, in the Swabi Asota valley (Swabi District).
The megalithic site extends over approximately 150 square meters. It consists of an impressive megalithic circle, originally composed of about 32 menhirs arranged in a nearly circular configuration. The monoliths, which are rough or only roughly squared, reach an average height of 3.5 meters (for more information, see the video “The Asota Megaliths in Swabi”).
From a planimetric perspective, the monument currently measures between 12 and 15 meters in diameter. Its overall layout takes the shape of an almost perfect circle, with minor irregularities due to the shifting or collapse of individual elements. Currently, thirteen main menhirs are visible, forming the main half of the circle, accompanied by three additional elements—one partially buried, one preserved only at the base, and one standing but shifted from the circular arrangement—making a total of 16 blocks attributable to the original structure. Two smaller stones lean against larger menhirs, likely serving as supports. Finally, five fallen elements have been identified inside the circle area, whose original positions remain unknown. The distribution of the monoliths is, however, asymmetrical: thirteen elements are located in the southwest sector, forming a nearly semi-circular arrangement oriented to the southwest, while three others are positioned in the opposite sector. A single menhir is displaced relative to the overall geometry.

 

From a conservation standpoint, the circle appears partially compromised but remains legible in its original configuration. Some blocks are broken or overturned, while others are buried for a significant part of their height. The stone surfaces show signs of selective erosion, cracks, and fractures attributable to weathering processes, intensified by temperature fluctuations and cycles of water saturation and drying caused by flooding from the surrounding fields.

The chronology of the monument is unknown. In the vicinity, there are two other similar sites, Adina and Turlandi (for more information, see the Asota Sharif Map). 
In literature, it is generally considered a pre-protohistoric site (D.H. Gordon, The Pre-Historic Background of Indian Culture, Bombay 1958, p. 183, 190, pl. XXXII a-b).

Regarding site protection, the monument has only sporadically benefited from safeguarding measures. Since 2013, the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has installed a perimeter metal fence, which was recently renewed. The main threats to its preservation stem from several factors: natural erosion and weathering of the lithotypes, leading to a progressive loss of material; anthropogenic pressures arising from agricultural activities and the passage of light vehicles in the immediate vicinity; and the absence of stable protection and management measures.

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