01-12-2004, 01:44 AM
Discovery of an elephant remains excites archaeologists
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald...004/n5.asp
BHUBANESWAR, DHNS:
Archaeologists currently engaged in excavation work of Barabati fort in Cuttack, erstwhile capital of Orissa, have found skeletal remains of an elephant, possibly belonging to the medieval period. The excavation work at Barabati fort on the bank of river Mahanadi was re-launched last November after a gap of nearly a decade.
According to officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which is conducting the excavation work, the pachyderm which was apparently given a burial after a natural death, possibly belonged to 15th or 16th century. However, the actual period of the elephant death and its subsequent burial could only be established after related tests, says Mr P K Trivedi, the Superintending archaeologist in ASIâs Bhubaneswar office.
The skeleton is yet to be taken out fully. It would be sent for carbon dating once it is dug up completely, ASI sources said.
The Barabati fort, believed to have been built by King Anaga Bhima Dev III of Ganga dynasty, who ruled Orissa between 1231 and 1238 AD, had been declared a protected area in 1915 by the British rulers. The ASI started excavation work of the fort for the first time in December 1989 on the occasion of the millennium celebration of Cuttack city, one of the oldest cities in the country.
However, the excavation work had to be stopped midway in 1993-94 because of encroachments made on both sides of the fort. The second phase of excavation work was resumed last November after authorities cleared some of the encroached areas following a court order.
The findings during the first phase of excavation included the remains of a temple, a palace complex and a citadel around the palace. A silver coin belonging to the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, had also been discovered from the site. Besides, 400 pieces of sculpture depicting erotic figures of female dancers, musicians, heads of ornamented female figures with different hairstyles as well as mutilated idols of Ganesha and Surya were also discovered from the site during the first phase of excavation.
According to history books, the Barabati fort had remained centre of major political and social activities for nearly 500 years when different kings ruled Orissa from Cuttack. However, it had reached the peak during the period of Mukunda Dev who ruled Orissa from 1560 AD till he was killed in the battlefield in 1568 by one Sultan Sulaiman Karani from neighbouring Bengal. The Britishers took over the fort in 1803.
Historians and archaeologists in the state feel that further excavation work at the historic site will bring to light more interesting findings.
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald...004/n5.asp
BHUBANESWAR, DHNS:
Archaeologists currently engaged in excavation work of Barabati fort in Cuttack, erstwhile capital of Orissa, have found skeletal remains of an elephant, possibly belonging to the medieval period. The excavation work at Barabati fort on the bank of river Mahanadi was re-launched last November after a gap of nearly a decade.
According to officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which is conducting the excavation work, the pachyderm which was apparently given a burial after a natural death, possibly belonged to 15th or 16th century. However, the actual period of the elephant death and its subsequent burial could only be established after related tests, says Mr P K Trivedi, the Superintending archaeologist in ASIâs Bhubaneswar office.
The skeleton is yet to be taken out fully. It would be sent for carbon dating once it is dug up completely, ASI sources said.
The Barabati fort, believed to have been built by King Anaga Bhima Dev III of Ganga dynasty, who ruled Orissa between 1231 and 1238 AD, had been declared a protected area in 1915 by the British rulers. The ASI started excavation work of the fort for the first time in December 1989 on the occasion of the millennium celebration of Cuttack city, one of the oldest cities in the country.
However, the excavation work had to be stopped midway in 1993-94 because of encroachments made on both sides of the fort. The second phase of excavation work was resumed last November after authorities cleared some of the encroached areas following a court order.
The findings during the first phase of excavation included the remains of a temple, a palace complex and a citadel around the palace. A silver coin belonging to the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, had also been discovered from the site. Besides, 400 pieces of sculpture depicting erotic figures of female dancers, musicians, heads of ornamented female figures with different hairstyles as well as mutilated idols of Ganesha and Surya were also discovered from the site during the first phase of excavation.
According to history books, the Barabati fort had remained centre of major political and social activities for nearly 500 years when different kings ruled Orissa from Cuttack. However, it had reached the peak during the period of Mukunda Dev who ruled Orissa from 1560 AD till he was killed in the battlefield in 1568 by one Sultan Sulaiman Karani from neighbouring Bengal. The Britishers took over the fort in 1803.
Historians and archaeologists in the state feel that further excavation work at the historic site will bring to light more interesting findings.