KAPILVASTU: The artefacts with historical and archeological importance, which were found during the excavations at Dohani area, a historic site in Kapilvastu, shows evidence of the beginning of human settlement here since 400 BC.

A scientific test was conducted on relics of conventional clay pots, idols and other materials that were unearthed from the site. Further study on the objects that were uncovered during various excavations ended with this revelation.

The research was carried out by a joint team of archaeologists from Nepal and abroad under the management of Department of Archaeology and Ministry of Culture.

The site, located around four kilometres east of Taulihawa, the district headquarters of Kapilvastu, and around 20 kilometres west of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Budhha, is being used as a transit point by pilgrims and business persons arriving to visit Kudan, Araunrakot, Tilaurakot and Lumbini.

According to DoA Spokesperson Ram Bahadur Kunwar, further excavations are taking place here with the technical and financial support from different international organisations, including the UK-based Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Preservation of the World Cultural Heritage.

The team involved in the excavation at Dohani is preparing to release findings of the study on February 23.

The same team had already conducted a survey at Kudan, Nigalihawa, Sisahaniya, Dohani and Sagarhawa area. It had also carried out excavations in the Lumbini area for three years (from 2011) and had come up with new facts and findings about the history in regard with Lumbini, said an archeologist Kosh Prasad Acharya.

Kapilvastu, a district of Province 5 in the new federal setup, is home to the highest number of archaeological sites in the entire country.

(With inputs from Rashtriya Samachar Samiti)