Archaeological Sites in the Country

The Terai region is very important for archeological activities. Major archaeological site from this region include Rupandehi, Kapilvastu and Nawalparasi, the District of Lumbini Zone, the Bara District of the Narayani Zone, the Bhedeari of the Kosi Zone and the Kichehaka Badha of the Mechi Zone. All of these areas and sites have been exploration and excavation.

Lumbini

With the discovery of the Ashoka pillar by Khadga Sumser in 1886 A.D. Lumbini was accorded its deserving glory within the Buddhist world and also became an important pilgrimage centre for followers of Buddhism. After the work of A. Fuherer and K. Sumser, P.C. Mukerjee excavated at Lumbini and discovered many remains representing various periods. Many excavations have been conducted at Lumbini by the Nepal DOA among these is the latest excavation at Mayadevi temple that has revealed a stone marker at the exact point where the Lord Buddha was born. The marker stone was found placed in one of the fifteen chambers constructed auspiciously and monumentally. The marker stone was in an untidy state and placed in a precarious location during the time of emperor Ashoka’s visit. He gave the stone proper respect. In addition to the marker stone the excavation has yielded remains of several architectural phases of the temple stretching from the time of the Mauryan Gupta period and up to the 18th and 19th century. All the excavated remains including the marker stone and the Mauryan structure are preserved in-situ inside the newly constructed Mayadevi temple. The marker stone is placed separate from other remains and protected by a bulletproof glass case.

Kapilvastu

P.C Mukerjee identified the fortified mound at Tilaurakot and recognized the ancient town of Kapilvastu, the capital of Suddodhan. In 1962, 1966-67 and 1966-71 various excavations were conducted. During these excavations, a wide moat, eastern and western gateways, a structural complex, various types of pottery, coins and art objects have been found. The architectural remains of Kapilvastu are preserved and kept in-situ. The archaeological objects are also kept at the site museum of Kapilvastu.

Ramagrama

Ramagrama lies sixty kilometers east of Lumbini. The mound was noticed by Dr. Hoey in 1899 and S.B Deo recorded the mound as a stupa in 1964 and recommended it to be excavated promptly. DOA started to dig the mound in 1997. This year, 2004, is the fifth season of work at the site. An abundance of information about the history of the stupa has come to light as a result of these excavations. The core of the stupa has not been touched because of the sentiment towards its sanctity. Four distinctive phases of the stupa are known based on the excavations:

Mauryan
Sunga
Kusan
Gupta

The site was abandoned as a religious enclave following the final phase 1

Grey ware PGW and NBP ware are the major pottery types known from the site. Beads, bangles and art objects of various periods are the major finding of the excavation. The final report of the excavation and a plan for the conservation of the stupa is continuing and will be finished this year.

Gotihawa

Situated in the Kapilvastu District, the Gotihawa site was excavated jointly by ISIAO and DOA. It is known as the nirvana stupa of Krakuchhad Buddha. During the excavation the stupa was uncovered and many archaeological objects have been found. The stupa is going to be preserved in the coming years and the objects discovered here are kept at the Tilaurakot site museum.

Kichakbadh and Khoksar

Recently, Archaeological excavation has been done at Kichakbadh and Khoksar will be continued this year. Various kinds of pottery, art objects and a wall structure have been found during the past excavation which has not yet been completed.

Simraungardh

ISIAO excavated at Simraungardh which is a large ruin from the medieval capital city situated in the central Terai region of Nepal. The site is spread over an area of 7.5 km north south and 4.5 m east west respectively. Ruins of the fortification wall are found surrounding the site. Inside the fortification wall about 50 small villages covering five village development committees have been settled for more than a century and the rest of the area is extensively cultivated. Various artifacts have been discovered from the excavation. The Upper level of the site has been completely destroyed by extensive habitation and the only remaining are the archaeological ruins alone. In this situation, the only possible measure of conservation is to try our best to stop further destruction.

Mustang

The Trans Himalayan region of Nepal is located just beyond the Himalayan range and geologically it is the part of the Tibetan plateau. This region is comprised of very rocky and pebble conglomerate cliffs, snow capped mountains and are generally a sandy and barren landscape. The region is drained by the Trans Himalayas river, the Kaligandaki which is the source of the Saligrama (the object revered by Hindu as the symbol of lord Vishnu). Along the Kaligandaki river, there are serious ancient caves that are termed “cave cities” and several ruins of habitation sites in the vicinity. Some of the caves and sites were excavated from 1992 to 1997 with German teams cooperating with the Nepal DOA. The most important achievement from the archaeological research of these Tans Himalayas regions is the construction of the dendrochronological calendar, or the master sequence of the dendro-dating. In addition, a mummified body of an infant was also found and dates from the 4th to the 2nd century B.C.

Khola

The Khola site is situated on the border of the Kashi and Lamjung district of Nepal. This site is located in a high mountain region. In April 2000, a two week excavation was undertaken at Khola by an archaeologist from English Heritage and another from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit together with an archaeologist from the Archaeology Department of Nepal. In the course of the excavation 121 features were excavated and 48 major structural features were identified and recorded. A large amount of pottery, iron objects, fossil coral beads and decorative pottery were also recovered from the excavation. The radiocarbon dates determined that Khola is a medieval site. Through anthropological and ethnographical research, it was demonstrated that this was a small Gurung village. The Gurung are one of the many ethnic groups living in the western region of Nepal for some reason, they abandoned the village and it deteriorated and was buried.

Sinja Valley excavation

Sinja is situated in the Jumla district of far western Nepal. In October 2000, a two week excavation was undertaken with an archaeologist from the Cambridge archaeological unit and the DOA of Nepal. Due to the short time frame and the condition of the area it was decided that the team would excavate an earlier terrace at the site. Four trenches had been excavated at the bottom of the structure and the team was able to determine the complex plan of the hill. During the excavation 52 features were excavated and 45 features were distinguished and recorded. During the excavation 345 shreds, glass fragments and some metal work was recorded. The structure seemed to be a royal palace of the Malla dynasty of the medieval period. Local traditions about the presence of the palace during the medieval period were elucidated. The radio carbon dating also situated the site within the medieval period.

Hadigaon

Hadigaon is situated at the center of Kathmandu valley and is the oldest town in Nepal. ISIAO explored and excavated the site in 1984-1989 A.D. Various types of pottery, bricks, structures and art objects were discovered in the excavations. The final report of the excavation has been published and the archaeological and vandalism a compound wall around the site was build. The excavated trenches are filled with earth to protect the fragile architectural remains and keep them safe and intact. The earliest date for the site was found to be the 2nd century B.C.

Deopatan, Bhandarhal, Patuko, Dhumbarahi are other major archaeologist sites in the Kathmandu Valley.