Fresh discoveries show signs of ancient city

This unique brick-built structure in the fort city Wari-Bateshwar confirms that urbanisation flourished here around 2,500 years ago.Photo: STAR

Fresh discovery of structures and artefacts traces signs of contemporary satellite settlements outside the fort city in Wari-Bateshwar, reinforcing last year's indication that the place was a Janapada or Mahajanapada, one of the earliest kingdoms or states in the Indian subcontinent.
Archaeologists say recent discoveries at three sites surrounding Wari-Bateshwar have confirmed that the settlements were contemporary to the ancient city dating back to 600 BC to 100 BC.
"Since we began claiming Wari-Bateshwar as a fort city in 2000, many were raising questions over indications to the existence of the fort. The recent discovery of brick structures established that urbanisation had flourished in Wari-Bateshwar," says Prof Sufi Mustafizur Rahman, who led the excavation team from the archaeology department of Jahangirnagar University.
"We think Wari-Bateshwar was the capital of the Janapada or Mahajanapada, but it requires further research to determine the name of the Mahajanapada," he adds.
Discovery of a brick-built "unique structure" inside the fort city confirmed last year that urbanisation flourished there around 2,500 years ago and reached its excellence.
Last year's discovery of silver punch-marked coins of the pre-Mauryan period dating back to 600 BC to 400 BC also indicates that the place was a Janapada or Mahajanapada.
The archaeologists are excavating in three sites to trace the ancient settlement. The sites are Rangartek, a site one kilometre off the fort city, Algartek, two-km off the fort city, and Kamrabo, four-Km off the fort city, which were among the 48 sites identified by the archaeologists.
The discoveries that confirm timeframe of the settlements contemporary to the fort city are northern black polished ware (NBPW), Knobbed Ware, Metal artefacts, semi-precious stone beads and brick, which were also discovered inside the fort city.
These discoveries were made both in Rangartek and Algartek, while a perfectly square brick-built 35 square feet structure was partially unearthed in Kamrabo, which is identical to the modern age architecture in its foundation style.
Though timeframe of the brick-built structure couldn't be confirmed immediately, the large size of the bricks and one-metre wide wall confirm the structure at least dates back to pre-medieval period [it may go back to early historic period], archaeologists say.
What fascinates the archaeologists about the perfect square is positioning of the structure and the planned landscape, on which the structure is situated. Excavators say the structure is situated on the top back of the turtle-shaped landscape.
Situation of the structure at such a magnificent place indicates the structure might be used for special purposes by the ancient people, while the landscape indicates professional excellence of urban planners and architects, interpret the archaeologists with reference to the Indian archaeological literature.
Archaeological literature in the Indian subcontinent suggests that the structures built in such a special place in such a planned landscape might have been used for religious purpose.
The discovered foundation of the brick-built structure has so far been found multi-layered, one step supported by another. The archaeologists say they have unearthed three steps of walls with foundation always being wider than the wall, which is identical to modern day style.
Existence of satellite settlements indicates that other classes like farmers, labourers and artisans used to live outside and support the city life.
BRICK-BUILT UNIQUE STRUCTURE
The brick-built structure discovered inside Wari-Bateshwar measuring 32ft by 18ft is called "unique" as literature on archaeology does not have reference to any such structure, the excavators claim.
"The structure can be considered as an inverted house without any opening -- windows or doors -- surrounded by 12ft high walls," the excavators explain as the The Daily Star correspondent makes a visit there.
A part of the structure was first discovered in 2007-2008 and was unearthed fully this year.
The excavators believe archaeologists, architects and enthusiasts from home and abroad would soon crowd the site as the structure is "unique" in nature.
"The site should be constructed as a permanent onsite museum with suggestions from conservation and civil engineering experts. So adequate fund is required to turn the site into an onsite museum," comments Prof Rahman.
"This is a peculiar structure constructed in a specialised style and it's a wonder how a 12-foot wall could be standing this way," he adds.
WARI-BATESHWAR DISCOVERED SO FAR
The discovery of coins last year provides substantial and significant information about a well-established urban civilisation as part of the second urbanisation on the context of Indian subcontinent in Wari-Bateshwar.
Existence of a large number of coins discovered there also suggests trade, a money-based economy system and administration besides bearing sociocultural and sociopolitical condition prevalent at that time, archaeologists explain.
Studies also reveal punch-mark symbols found on the faces of the silver coins are distinctive in symbols, shapes and forms. This reveals that the Mahajanapada was a distinctive one in addition to the 16 Mahajanapadas so far unearthed in the subcontinent by archaeologists and described in the Jain and Buddhist literature.
The discovery of Rouletted Ware (RW), Knobbed Ware, sandwich glass beads and other artefacts indicates that the place had relations and trade with the Mediterranean and Southeast Asian regions, the archaeologists believe.
Meanwhile, archaeological studies on semi-precious stone beads and other artefacts discovered in Wari-Bateshwar indicate people of this land had a rich history of craftsmanship as old as around 2,500 years.