On January 19 this year, an excavation discovered 498 punch marked silver coins in Tilaurakot, Lumbini, that are assumed to be as old as third century BC. The excavation was part of the second phase, which took off around January 2014, of the project funded by Japan and implemented by (UNESCO in association with the Government of Nepal. The first phase focused on Lumbini from 2010 to 2013.
Krishna Bahadur KC, an archaeological officer with Lumbini Development Trust says that the coins were cleaned and now are with the Lumbini Museum, although they are not yet for display for the general public.
"After cleaning, photographing and numbering showed that there were 498 silver coins which were punch marked. There were no inscriptions, only punch marks, which could mean that they were before the time of coins with inscriptions. The coal and the soil sample collected from the area have been sent for a scientific study in the Durham University in the UK. To really pinpoint and say that this is a fact, however, is not possible until the results come next season," he says.
Archaeology in Nepal can be traced back to more than a hundred years. Ever since the end of the 1890s, excavations at archaeological sites like Lumbini and Tilaurakot have been taking place. And it hasn't been for nothing. During this time, valuable monuments like the pillar in Lumbini dating back to third century BC and the stupa in Tilaurakot have been reported. In sum, the nineteenth century saw a lot of activities regarding archaeological findings which has considered it an important archaeological site. Even in the late 1970s, the discovery of an upper left molar bone of Ramapithecus on the Siwalik Hills also proved important and established Nepal as a country where mankind was seen even before 14 to 8 million years ago, according to a Department of Archaeology (DoA) journal.
Senior archaeologist Kosh Prasad Acharya, who is also the consultant archaeologist with UNESCO, says that such excavations have always been important to understand our history and help us identify our roots. Referring to the discovery made this year in Tilaurakot, he says that it is important that places carrying historical importance be preserved. The unearthing of what seemed to be the oldest Buddhist shrine in November 2013 at the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini made it to the top ten discoveries of 2014, as published by the Archaeological Institute of America.
Such discoveries have boosted Lumbini's tourism and made it a popular destination as tourists are drawn to places with historical importance. However, more can be done to maintain the flow of tourists there. Acharya stresses on increasing proper facilities at and around the excavation sites for that.
"Tourists, who come from far and wide expecting to see the legacy, must not be left disappointed. Tilaurakot has an interesting history to share with everyone, and though the excavations in the previous year did bring a lot of publicity and international media coverage for the site, we still can do better by making it tourist friendly," he says.
The role of the locals is highlighted, as it is vital in the conservation and preservation of the excavation sites. "They should be given some kind of motivation so that they play a bigger role in the success of such expeditions," he says.
UNESCO had listed Lumbini as a World Heritage Site in 1997 so that it could be conserved and managed, considering its historical importance as a place where Lord Buddha was born. Nabha Basnyat Thapa, project coordinator, says, "UNESCO seeks to support projects that will add to the conservation of the historical sites, as they should be done so for the sake of posterity."
Such a task is not easy, as it takes up a lot of time, patience and planning. Due to this, the preservation of the archaeological sites is imperative, for which the locals have to be made aware and included in the plans.
Ram Bahadur Kunwar, Chief Archaeological Officer at DoA, says that archaeological sites should be exposed so that they can be better preserved. "Although we have difficulties with dating the product due to lack of facilities, we still have been conducting such excavations every year. Not only that, we have also given special attention to training the locals so that all the parties can benefit from it," he says. He adds that the government has given importance to such sites for excavation ever since the Department was established in 1952.
"Everything that contributes to the making of history and informs about it is important. It's our duty to preserve remains that help in explaining where we come from," he says. It is good to be in touch with history, especially when it gives meaning to one's identity and cultural entities. Hence, archaeological works should be considered important as they have the power to alter our understanding of ourselves and where we came from.
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