KAPILVASTU, March 4: Archaeologists discovered a Chorten (a Budhhist monument) structure as historical evidence in Tilaurakot of Kapilvastu. A month ago, the historical and archaeological structure was found during the excavations conducted in the east Bihar area of Tilaurakot.

According to Buddhists, Chortens are built by Himalayan Buddhists for worship, similar to the stupas built for worship in Hinayana and Mahayana traditions.

In the Himalayan region of Nepal, Himalayan Buddhist pilgrims have widely built such Chortens.

Ram Bahadur Kuwar, chief archeological officer of the Department of Archeology (DoA), said that the Chorten was found during the excavation in the east of the Bihar area of Tilaurakot, the capital city of the ancient Shakya Kingdom.

Excavation and research has been ongoing in Tilaurakot for the past decade. Kuwar stated that the Chorten was discovered during the excavation of the central structure range within the east Bihar and Durbar area for a month this year as well. Last year's excavations uncovered stupa post-holes, tiles and pinnacle.

“The discovery of Chorten suggests that the Buddhist pilgrims may have traveled from Tilaurakot to spread  the teachings of Buddhism in the Himalayan region,” Kuwar said.

Himal Upreti, the archeological officer of Lumbini Development Trust, said that the post-holes found in the excavation, along with the tiles used in the roof and the pinnacle found in last year's excavations, resemble Chortens made in the northern Himalayan region of Nepal. Bhaskar Gyawali, an officer of the DoA, said that the historical structure found in the excavation has not yet been confirmed.

He mentioned that the date will be determined by radiocarbon dating, soil samples have been sent to the lab for testing. Fragments of pottery, coal, bones, tile, copper coins have been found from the excavations in the east Bihar area.

With the assistance of the Japanese Funds-in-Trust, a team of experts from the DoA, Durham University and others excavated and conducted research in Tilaurakot, uncovering  various historical structures, including silver coins, and pottery materials.

The Government of Nepal has submitted the final nomination document to list Tilaurakot in the World Heritage List to the UNESCO World Heritage Center. In 1996, UNESCO identified the historical archaeological site of Tilaurakot as a potential World Heritage Site.

 
• Tilaurakot
 
• excavations
 
• Chorten