Rare artefacts found at Basu Bihar archaeological site
slide showA piece of artefact and a clay seal, top,
found during the excavation at Basu Bihar archaeologi-
cal site, bottom, under Shibganj upazila recently.
Photo: STAR
Hasibur Rahman Bilu, Bogra
Saturday, December 27, 2008
www.the dailystar.net
Two pieces of northern black polished ware (NBPW) and some other artefacts, including ancient brick-built structures, have been found in an excavation at Basu Bihar archaeological site under Shibganj upazila recently.
Such polished ware was first used in 600 BC and its use continued until 100 AD, said archaeologist Mahabub-Ul-Alam, a member of the excavation team.
The discovery of NBPW in the site is the third of its kind according to the archaeological documents, he said, adding that it was found at Mohasthan Garh first and at Wari Bateshwar in Narsingdi second.
Team leader archaeologist Naheed Sultana said some rare deep pink-coloured ancient potsherds were found along with other broken earthen pots just under the basement of the early discovered Buddhist temple structures.
Mahabub further said that an ancient brick-built staircase dating back to more than 1300 years old and a collapsed wall of late Gupta dynasty of more than 1500 years old have also been discovered during the excavation.
Archaeologists presumed that Chinese pilgrim Huen Tsang saw the temples and monasteries in the site during his visit to ancient Bangla in between 639 AD and 645 AD.
Naheed said, “Huen Tsang described that Gautama Buddha came to the ancient site, Basu Bihar and stayed here for at least three months and delivered religious sermons as mentioned in the book 'Mohasthan Moinamati Paharpur' written by prominent archaeologist Dr Nazim Uddin Ahmed.”
Deep pink potsherds and other rare ancient artefacts with decoration were found at a depth of 12 feet in the area from ground level and 1.50 metres from the earlier discovered structures, she added.
The archaeologist further said, “It was a rare discovery in the country so far came under the spotlight.”
Archaeologists told this correspondent that concrete-made floor was discovered under a collapsed wall on the same premises which were found earlier.
Mahabub said a clay seal with some alphabets has been discovered along with the black polished ware in the same layer.
