Panchkora Valley of Dir

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Panchkora Valley of Dir is a valley situated in the Dir, North West Frontier Province of Pakistan.

[edit] Overview

The Panchkora Valley of Dir was the home of early Aryans. Remains of their settlements are classified as Gandhara grave culture.

Talash Valley, 13 KM from Chakdara, is full of Buddhist remains. Buddhist stupas and monasteries which have not been excavated are on both sides of the road towards Dir. At the west end of the valley is Kat Kala Pass. Olaf Caroe identified this place with Massaga which was captured by Alexander the Great in 327BC. Here there are remains of massive crumbling Hindu Shahi fort of 8-10th century.

Timargarha, 40 km from Chakdara is the site of excavated graves of Aryans, dating 1500 to 600 BC.

On the west side of Panchkora River is the excavated site of Balambat. Site was in occupation continuously since 1500 BC when Aryans occupied this first time. Houses dated 500 BC has been discovered here. An interesting discovery was fire altars, which shows that people were fire worshippers.