On Gandharan sculptural production from Swat: Recent archaeological and chronological data

The contribution is based on the results of the latest archaeological excavations carried out in Swat by the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan, namely at the urban site of Barikot and at two nearby Buddhist complexes, Gumbat and Amluk-dara. In particular, the remarkable discovery of cultic monuments within the urban perimeter of Barikot offers an unprecedented opportunity to cross-examine decorative assemblages from both urban and non-urban contexts and to establish significant correspondences in their stratigraphy-based chronology. The resulting context of implications is another firm step towards widening the perspective on the chronological and cultural stages of the ‘Gandharan’ artistic idiom, both within and without Swat.