Kapilvastu, February 24

The latest archaeological excavation carried out under the aegis of Department of Archaeology has discovered that Kapilvastu has the highest number of archaeological sites in the country. It has identified 136 archaeological sites in the district.

DoA Spokesperson Ram Bahadur Kunwar said this was the first time that so many archaeologically-significant sites were discovered in Kapilvastu. Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, lies in Province 5 Rupandehi has 99 archaeologically important sites while Nawalparasi has around 40 such places, said Kunwar.

Some of the major archaeological sites in the Kapilvastu district include Tilaurakot, Aaraurakot, Kudan, Niglihawa, Sagarhawa, Gotihawa, Dohani, Prachin Stupa, Sisahaniya among others.

The ruins of King Suddhodan’s palace is now a protected zone. Suddhodan was Buddha’’s father and ruled the ancient kingdom Tilaurakot.  The department has also acquired land plots around the area where it plans to carry out archaeological research.

During the excavationin Tilaurakot, earthenware, statues, silver coins and some metal artefacts were discovered. Laboratory test of these artefacts have revealed that human civilisation existed in this area even before 800 BC.

Artefacts from the period of the Maurya dynasty have also been found in Tilaurakot and other places in Kapilvastu. Kapilvastu Municipality Mayor Kiran Singh said excavation was under way to find evidences so that Tilaurakot could also be enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage site.