Bangladesh discovers ancient fort city, 450 BCE

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HinduThought, "Srinivasan Kalyanaraman"

<kalyan97 wrote:

 

Bangladesh discovers ancient fort city

Wed Mar 15, 2006 10:59 AM GMT, Reuters, UK[image: 165]

 

 

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By Nizam Ahmed

 

WARI, Bangladesh (Reuters) - Archaeologists in Bangladesh say they have

uncovered part of a fortified citadel dating back to 450 B.C. that could

have been a stopping off point along an ancient trade route.

 

So far, a moat round the citadel has been uncovered along with parts of an

ancient road at Wari, 85 km (53 miles) northeast of the capital Dhaka.

 

"The citadel and a raft of artifacts may help redefine history of India,"

said Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, head of the department of archaeology at

Jahangirnagar University, near Dhaka.

 

"The well-planned road with even manholes proves that the citadel was

managed by a very efficient administration," Mostafizur added.

 

"I am confident further excavation will lead us to residue of a

palace," he

said.

 

Archaeologists have been excavating the ancient roads and unearthing

artifacts for several years. Tests by a Dutch university revealed the

objects dated to around 450 B.C.

 

Artefacts found in the 600 x 600 meter (1,800 x 1,800 ft) include metal

coins, metallic chisels, terracotta missiles, rouletted and knobbed

pottery,

stone hammers and bangles. Ornaments suggested Buddhism dominated life in

the urban centers. Mostafizur said the citadel was believed to be a

part of

Harappan civilization and a prime trade center might have flourished

there,

possibly serving as a link between contemporary South Asian and Roman

civilizations.

 

The Harappan civilization flourished in the Indus and Ganges valleys

between

2,700 B.C. to 700 B.C.

 

Archaeologists hope the citadel and surrounding area yield many more

surprises.

In Wari and the nearby Batteswar village there are 47 raised areas and

archaeologists are planning to excavate all of these as well.

 

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