Ace archaeologist Dr Dani dead: Dawn

SLAMABAD, Jan 26: Internationally acclaimed archaeologist, historian and linguist Prof Dr Ahmad Hasan Dani died here on Monday morning. He was 88.

Dr Dani had been admitted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences five days ago with heart, kidney and diabetes problems. His condition deteriorated on Sunday night and he was shifted to the ICU where he died.

He is survived by his wife, three sons — Dr Anis Ahmad Dani, Navaid Ahmad Dani, Junaid Ahmad Dani — and daughter Fauzia Iqbal Butt. He has left behind a large number of admirers, students and friends to mourn his death.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed profound grief over the death of Prof Dani and described it as a great loss to the nation. He said the country had lost an eminent historian. His death, the president said, had left a vacuum that would be hard to fill.

He said Dr Dani’s contribution to setting up of several museums in the country and his vast publications had set the pace for future course of action in this vital field.

Prof Dani was a world renowned historian. He was regarded as an authority on archaeology, culture, linguistics, Buddhism and Central Asian archaeology and history. He was Professor of Emeritus at the Quaid-i-Azam University, a distinction bestowed on him after his retirement as Dean of the Social Sciences Department in recognition of his contributions. He was founding director of the Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations of the university since its establishment in 1997 and founding director of the Islamabad Museum.

During his long career, Prof Dani had held various academic positions and international fellowships and conducted archaeological excavations and research. He received a number of civil awards in Pakistan and abroad. As a recognised linguist, he was proficient in more than 14 national and international languages and dialects.

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