<i>Structures older than Pala Era found at Paharpur site </i>

Archaeologists work on the newly located brick-built structure at Paharpur Buddha Bihar where this type stone statues, inset, dating from the Gupta Dynasty were also found.Photo: STAR

Archaeologists recently found two ancient brick-built structures at the Paharpur world heritage site which they believe belonged to a period even earlier than the site's known time, the Pala Era.
The department earlier found several stone statues, including Mithun and Vayu, from the Gupta Dynasty before the recent excavation.
Archaeology Department Director Dr Md Shafiqul Alam confirmed the recent finds, saying the brick-built structures were found under the foundation of the main temple at Paharpur.
He said another structure was found outside the temple area. "These structures confirm that there was a civilization before the Pala Dynasty," he said.
Mahbubul Alam, assistant custodian of Paharpur site, said an ancient broken terracotta piece was found under the basement of the temple near the newly discovered structure while a decorated brick was found in the lower portion of the northern side of the temple.
Meanwhile, archaeologists dug out another brick-built structure from an earth-filled base on top of the 72-feet high temple. They believe the structure was made for beautification.
Nahid Sultana, custodian of Rabindra Kacharibari Site of Shajadpur in Sirajganj and a member of the Paharpur excavation team, said an almost similar brick-built wall was found outside the temple premises. Both the structures were built with bigger size bricks.
According to archaeological documents, at least 53 stone statues have been lying in the wall niches in the lower portion of the temple underground. Thirteen statues have so far been found during several archaeological excavations, according to officials.