National
Archaeologists find 20 post holes in Tilaurakot
Archaeologists have found 20 post holes during their ongoing excavation in Tilaurakot.Manoj Poudel
The post holes, according to experts, have justified that the supposed ancient Shakya capital had been in existence well before the birth of Siddhartha. They claimed the finding show that there was well-managed settlement in the area at that time.
Currently, a team of experts and archaeologists from Unesco, the Department of Archaeology, Lumbini Development Trust and Durham University in the UK has working at the historic site since January 8 as part of the second phase of the excavation.
The team recently recovered 494 ancient “punch mark” coins, believed to have been used during 800-200 BC, in an earthen pot.
The post holes were found near Samayamai Temple some 100 metres north from the remains of Tilaurakot Palace. They were found in the depth of 4.5 metres while excavating the site making a trench. The post holes are 15-20 centimetres in diameter and 30 centimetres deep.
The team of experts led by archaeologist Prof Kier Strickland of Orkney
College in the UK witnessed the post holes first. The archaeologists are elated as the post holes were found on the premises of the palace for the first time.
Prof Ian A Simpson of Stirling University in the UK took the sample of the soil of the post holes for laboratory test. Archaeologist Basanta Bidari said the lab report would scientifically prove that there was human settlement in the area before Buddha was born. It takes about a year to carry out the test.
According to the archaeologists, the finding shows that people used bamboo and wood to build houses before there were bricks. They said the post holes could have been built around 600 BC.
Archaeologists had also found nine post holes during the excavation of security walls of the area last year.