RARE AND well-preserved remains of a 2nd century BC Shak, Satvahan and Kushan (early Christian Era) period town have been discovered in Azamgarh, about 200-kilometre north-east of Allahabad, by a team of archaeologists belonging to Allahabad University.
A recent survey of the area by a team from the AU's Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology Department has convinced the experts that excavation of three sites there could reveal many a secrets of a town's planning and architecture of the era and also uncover remains of an ancient temple.
"We were informed about the mounds by one of our BA-III student, Praveen Kumar, who hails from the area. He had found some remains and brought them to us. After examining them, we sent the student back and then on December 26 a team comprising of Dr Prakash Sinha, Dr OP Srivastava and Dr AP Ojha surveyed the three sites in the area," informed Prof RP Tripathi, Head of the AU Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology Department.
He said that the team discovered ancient beads, one-feet long bricks, some pottery and terracotta figurines belonging to 2nd century BC Shak and Satvahan period and right up to the Kushan period during the survey. "The team also discovered remains of a town having a temple. We are confident that a well-settled town having a thriving population existed at the site and a proper excavation of the sites at Rafipur, Dayalpur and Rakshpalpur will reveal valuable details of the town like its planning and architecture and throw light on the lives of the people who lived there during the time," he added.
{{/usCountry}}He said that the team discovered ancient beads, one-feet long bricks, some pottery and terracotta figurines belonging to 2nd century BC Shak and Satvahan period and right up to the Kushan period during the survey. "The team also discovered remains of a town having a temple. We are confident that a well-settled town having a thriving population existed at the site and a proper excavation of the sites at Rafipur, Dayalpur and Rakshpalpur will reveal valuable details of the town like its planning and architecture and throw light on the lives of the people who lived there during the time," he added.
{{/usCountry}}Prof Tripathi said that on one of the sites, a school, exists but still excavation of the nearby area will be enough for archaeological purposes.
"We will need to excavate up to 10 to 20 feet deep for the remains at the sites to get a clearer picture. For this we want to start an excavation of the sites during our forthcoming academic session. For this, we have decided to prepare a detailed project and send it to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for approval and sanction," Prof Tripathi said.