Ancient civilization site found in Chhattisgarh

Sirpur (Chhattisgarh), May 7 (ANI): Site of an ancient civilization has been excavated in Sirpur in Chhattisgarh.

Six well constructed granaries and various stone and bronze statues, bangles, casts used for making gold and silver jewellery have been excavated.

"It was only recognised as the capital of Koshal. But after the excavations, we found ancient factories for making bangles, ayurvedic medicines, gold and silver jewellery and bronze statues. We have also found casts for making these things. It was a famous trade site," said Arun Kumar Sharma, an archaeologist.

Six granaries have been excavated from the site. These are well-constructed underground granary with the capacity of storing 34 quintals of rice each.

The granaries are built in such a way that insects and rodents cannot enter. The granaries are also built underground to keep them cool.

"It is a public place because a lot of things belonging to public have been found. The granary is from the Satvahana age, two centuries before Christ and 200 years after Christ. It was the Satvahana age. We have found six granaries.

They were made from square pieces of white limestone. The base of the granary is 25 layers below the cover of the granary," said Sharma.

The archaeologists though hope to find more granaries as only one fourth of the site has been excavated yet.

Being in the centre of India, Sirpur is said to have been an important trade centre. Various goods were sent to parts of India and Arab countries from here.

It was also known for iron statues, as there are iron reserves around the place. The goods from here were sent to Karnataka, Gujarat, Cuttack and so on.

Sirpur, the ancient Sirpura was an important religious and trade site in ancient India, situated on the bank of the Mahanadi River in present Chhattisgarh.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has conducted excavations in the area.

Buddhist monasteries and an ancient temple have been amongst the main excavations. By Shiv Shankar Sarthi(ANI)