Il Colle di Barikot

As from 1998 investigation at Barikot was extended to the hill, with its crescent moon shape protectively rising above the area of the ancient city, constituting natural defence on the north side. The earliest material dates back to the 2nd millennium B.C., although the earliest conserved structures belong to the 1st-2nd century A.D. Evidence suggesting that the two natural terraces on the hilltop constituted the Acropolis of the Indo-Greek city can be seen in the traces of a sturdy masonry structure that was plundered for material to build the subsequent structures, and that probably corresponds with a stretch of the city wall. The most spectacular utilisation was achieved around the 7th century AD when the eastern terrace was extended with a tall and solid substruction wall for the construction of a monumental sacred complex that dominated the valley.