[world-vedic] ANCIENT TEMPLE

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Archaeologists discover remains of temple in Sehore and 6th century BC

punch mark coin with an elephant and inscription in Brahmi on one side

and Swastik and Ujjaini signs and tree on the reverse.

 

Archaeologists have found a 2500 year old seal, vestiges of 2100 year

old temple and a brickwall of Gupta era besides many artifacts dating

back to 6th century BC at Ninnaur village in Sehore district of Madhya

Pradesh.

The recently concluded excavation carried out at a huge mound on the

bank of Narmada, has revealed the existence of five different dynasties

- Maurya, Sunga, Gupta, Parmar and Mughal - from different layers, the

co-director excavations, Dr. DK Mathur told PTI.

 

The excavations include a coin dated 6th century BC, a 2500 year old

seal, Brahmi and other inscriptions, earthenware, toys of terra-cotta,

jewellery, weapons, instruments, precious stones and the foundation of

a 2100 year old temple of Sunga era, he added. ``The brick-wall, with

rare uniformity and stone made floor of Gupta period, unearthed in

layer four and five from trench-2, may give vital clues to the housing

plans of that time,'' Dr. Mathur said, further adding that ``some

experts even opine that full- fledged ancient The 6th century BC punch

mark coin with an elephant and inscription in Brahmi on one side and

Swastik and Ujjaini signs and tree on the reverse, houses may be lying

buried here.''

 

"We propose to carry out a horizontal excavation at the site next year

to explore such a possibility," he said.

 

coins of Mughal era and a supposedly royal terra-cotta seal of Maurya

period showing the `moon on a mountain', were also found at Ninnaur,

Dr. Mathur added.

 

The ancient temple of Sunga era, of which only elliptical foundation

was found, also had a soak-pit (ringwell) to drain out water, he said,

adding a sacrificial ladle used for yajnas had also been discovered

from the site. Temples of similar shapes and period have already been

found in past excavations in Dangwada (Ujjain) and Vishnagar (Vidisha)

in the state.

 

Various types of ware unearthed include terra-cotta earthenware, small

pots used as lamps, black polished ware and other utensils alongwith a

hearth, hubble-bubble, grinding slab and a dabber presumably used by

potters, Dr. Mathur said.

 

Round and square beads made of terra-cotta, bones and precious shining

jasper stones are other important components of Ninnaur findings.

 

The site has also revealed various kind of jewellery including women's

earlobes, made of terra-cotta and several types of shining polished

stones, bracelets and `bichhua' besides a string of terra-cotta toys

shaped like horse, bull, sheep etc. and terra-cotta and stone balls.

 

The weapons and tools discovered at Ninnaur include arrow-heads,

halberd and bradawl. The Ninnaur findings would add an insight into the

knowledge of the religious background of various ancient civilisations

besides the history of the Narmada basin, say the experts adding that

the proposed horizontal excavations at the site may reveal new aspects

of town planning during Gupta period. The Ninnaur site is just 12 km

from the Pan-Guradiya village which revealed the famous Ashokan

inscription in Brahmi in which Ashoka's name was mentioned for the

first time, Dr. Mathur said.