Archaeologists dig deeper for enlightenment

A team of archaeologists and experts have begun excavating at Tilaurakot, the  ancient Shakya capital where Siddhartha spent 29 years of his princely life before he became Gautama Buddha.

Two months ago, working at the nearby Maya Devi Temple the same team discovered evidence that Lord Buddha was born in the sixth century BC, two centuries earlier than previously thought.

Now they are back, hoping to make further discoveries that will firm up that hypothesis and shake the foundations of Buddhism. 

The Unesco-initiated dig will last around two months and be undertaken by 18 archaeologists from the Lumbini Development Trust, Durham and Stirling universities and the Global Exploration Fund under the National Geographic Society.

The archaeologists say the excavation aims to open a window on Tilaurakot, after a geological survey revealed what appear to be the ruins of an ancient city beneath the ground.

The dig stretches across three sites, with the team excavating an area 10 metres from the remnants of the western gate of the palace of King Shudhodan, the father of Lord Buddha. The  underground tunnels beneath the western gate suggest there might be the remains of buildings on either side, say the experts.

The second site is 30 metres from the palace ruins and marked above ground by two huge ancient  brick structures.

The team has also started fresh excavations in the northwestern wall of the palace fort. Last year a Nepali team working here uncovered a post hole one metre beneath the ground, marking the place where a timber or stone column once stood.

Senior archaeologist Kosh Prasad Acharya, a member of the current dig team, says the 

discovery of the post hole at such depth proves the ancient significance of Tilaurakot.

The team has brought in Prof Dr Ian Simpson, a specialist from Scotland’s Stirling University, to examine the post hole. Prof Dr Robin Coningham, chief archaeologist at Durham University, says the excavation should yield an invaluable insight into the era of Tilaurakot and bring into view the architecture of the ancient city where Lord Buddha grew up.

Coningham adds that along with the excavations, the team will be mapping the adjoining areas of Kanthak, Dhamanihawa (the site believed to be the tombs of Mayadevi and Shudhodan), and the Lohsariya Stupa for their preservation.