Archaeological Survey of District Buner (2014–15): Preliminary Report Abdul Samad and Zafar Hayat Khan Abstract: This is the report based on extensive but partially conducted archaeological survey and documentation of the archaeological wealth of district Buner by the Directorate of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during 2014-15. This was a major field activity by the Provincial Department of Archaeology after devolution under the Eighteenth Constitutional amendment, which highlights the strong resolve and commitment of the provincial government to map up the cultural potential of the province and to subsequently take appropriate measures for its protection and preservation. The most important aspect of this whole exercise was that 373 archaeological sites and historic monuments were identified and documented in four out of six tehsils of the district and the remaining two tehsils may reveal more important sites and monuments. Furthe.r the present efforts were also highly important in another aspect that very promising sites from pre-historic to Hindu Shahi periods were identified and documented. Buner had been surveyed for cultural wealth earlier too, but the operations during 2014-15 by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were more extensive, systematic and scientific. Some of the archaeological sites have great potential and may reveal fascinating information and artefacts during archaeological excavations. Some of the sites have great tourist attraction and can be developed to attract tourists both from within the country and abroad. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province is lying in the northwestern region of Pakistan, which resides the two major ancient states of Gandhāra and Udyāna (Beal, 1884: 119-20). These states have seen large number of cultural diffusions throughout the history. These two states are replete with extensive archaeological remains testifying their former grandeur. In terms of archaeological remains the present district of Buner is no less important than Swāt valley, which once served as an integral part of ancient Chamlā, Udyāna and Gandhāra as well. Consequently many travelers and researchers including Colonel Deane (in 1896), James Abbott (in 1854 & 1863) and Aurel Stein (in 1898 & 1930) visited Buner, particularly Chamlā valley, to trace the route of Alexander the great to the mighty Indus and to search for the worldly wealth left behind by the ancient dwellers. Later on Italian archaeological teams (in 1977 & 1996) put their feet on this soil to take part in reconstructing ancient history of the region. During the last decade of the 20 th century the Department of Archaeology and Museums carried out archaeological survey in Buner but the efforts did not commensurate the real potential of the district. Consequently an extensive scientific archaeological survey was necessary to record and preserve the great heritage for future generations and to stop the unlawful activities of illegal diggers, cruel antique dealers and smugglers of the nation’s cultural objects. Therefore, the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa prepared a six months survey project for archaeological survey of District Buner at a cost of about Rs.1.27 million. Geography of Buner Buner lies on the northeastern border of Peshāwar valley across Guru Hills, Aṃbela range, Senāwar Hills and Mahāban Mountain. Its district headquarters Daggar lies about 134 kilometers northeast of Peshawar, which can be approached through Peshawar–Mardān–Rustam–Sowārai road. Physically Buner is a mixture of landscapes that varies from mountains to hills, plains, riverbeds, plateaus and forests. Most of the famous mountain ranges and hills encompass the physique of Buner, which are a tentative division among lesser