Pre-Mauryan artefacts unearthed in Gorakhpur

Remains of a palatial wooden house, believed to be of around 6th or 5th century BC pre-Mauryan era, have been unearthed during excavation by an archaeology research team in Bansdeela-Teelatar village in Gorakhpur.

Remains of a palatial wooden house, believed to be of around 6th or 5th century BC pre-Mauryan era, have been unearthed during excavation by an archaeology research team in Bansdeela-Teelatar village in Gorakhpur.

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The team led by the head of the Archaeology Department of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, Prem Sagar Chaturvedi, is conducting excavation and study of the artefacts.

Chaturvedi said this could throw light on the ancient civilisation in the area during that period.

This part of eastern Uttar Pradesh was an important centre of Aryan civilisation and Mall, Shakya and Koliya clans ruled its different areas during Buddhist period. While Gautam Buddha belonged to the Shakya clan, Mauryas who inhabited the Chauri-Chaura region known then as Pippalavan were ancestors of great king Chandragupta Maurya.

Chaturvedi said remains of a palatial house made of 'Sal' wood, some earthenware and an iron spear has been recovered from the site so far.

Slabs measuring 12 feet in length and one foot in width have been used to construct the square-shaped house, he said adding that further excavation is on to reach upto the foundation level of the house.