Local residents found the object made of bricks and mud on the banks of the Danab river on August 17 and informed the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) about it.

The item had emerged after the river eroded the area. Locals said some vase-like utensils and white and black stones were also found in the area some weeks ago.

Bikendranath Lodha, a local, said the area is said to have a settlement named Pamphapur during the Buddha’s time. It was supposedly wiped out after the river changed its course.

Archaeologists who carried out an excavation in 1964 had said the area might have had a settlement in the past.

Locals believe more archaeological remains may be discovered if an excavation is carried out there.

Krishna KC, an officer at the LDT, said the objects have been sent to the Department of Archaeology in Kathmandu for verification. The items could be either from a Buddha-era well or a pillar of an ancient settlement.

People in the area said authorities have failed to conserve the archaeological finds. Om Prakash Aryal, LDT treasurer, said they have urged the Archaeology Department and the Culture Ministry to verify and conserve the relics. Buddha was born in Lumbini more than 2500 years ago.