Kathmandu, January 29

After fresh geophysical survey and excavation carried out in Tilaurakot, Lumbini, archaeologists have come to the conclusion that there existed a city somewhere around 1300 BC in Lumbini.

They came to the conclusion after studying the remnants of ancient infrastructure found during the excavation.

A joint team of Nepal Department of Archaeology, Lumbini Development Trust and Durham University, UK, have been carrying out excavation and geophysical survey in Lumbini for the last one month.

Spokesperson of DoA Ram Bahadur Kunwar said preliminary results of the study showed that the birthplace of Lord Buddha used to be a centre of human civilisation thousands of years before the birth of Buddha.

Kunwar also said various artifacts and ancient infrastructure found in Lumbini had already proved that once there was one of the oldest cities of South Asia. “And recent surveys and excavations have found even stronger proof that there was a well-planned city which was an architectural masterpiece,” he added.

“Recent surveys have substantiated our findings of earlier surveys. Recent surveys have provided us with evidence that can prove that once there existed rich human civilisation with roads, forts and wells, among other infrastructure,” spokesperson Kunwar said.

The DoA came to this conclusion after the survey report of areas such as Ram-gram, Sagarhawa and Chatradehi.

The intensive three-year survey was held in different phases in Lumbini from 2011 onward with the help of UNESCO Japanese Funding Trust. The recent archaeological survey was supported by Lumbini Hotel Kasai.

Meanwhile, archaeologists are also excavating the vicinity of Samayamai temple and the area of Tilaurakot.

It is said that Gautam Buddha lived from 563 BC to 483 BC. The recent findings could also be helpful to know more about the Buddha who was a prince of the royal family of Shakyas.

Archaeologists also believe that if it is proved that the artifacts and relics excavated from the site were as old as they have predicted, then Lumbini civilisation could be one of the oldest civilisations in South Asia.