GUNTUR: Three Buddhist chaityas and a monastery, a three-dimensional structure, broken images, pillars and pottery from the 1st and 2nd century A.D. were some of the discoveries brought to light by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) during its recent excavations at Ghantasala in Krishna district.

Disclosing this to reporters at Amaravathi in Guntur district on Sunday, ASI Hyderabad Region Superintending Archeologist D. Jithendra Das said that the discoveries were made at Yennammapadu dibba in Ghantasala mandal. The six-member ASI team, headed by Dr. Das was on a three-month excavation mission from March to May.

`Auspicious object'

A three-dimensional limestone carved structure, embellished on the dome portion of the stupa and which the Buddhists believed as an auspicious object, was brought to light by the team. Two garland bearers, a dhamma chakra and a miniature stupa on a throne in the middle made it an object of reverence. The 4 X 3 feet object was a `Purna Kalasa', containing lotus flowers, indicating the birth of Siddhardha, which meant perfection of knowledge, Dr. Das said.

The chaityas were made of burnt brick structures, which had a texture and size unique to the Satavahana times. There were separate dwelling places for Buddhist monks in the complex, whose walls were plastered with lime. A pillared mandapa, meant for meditation of the monks was also discovered. All the walls were beautifully plastered with superfine lime mortar.

Hoary past

Ghantasala was a flourishing trading town during the times of the Satavahanas. Some coins belonging to the Satavahana period, which were discovered earlier, with images of ship on the coins show the sea trade that flourished during the time, Dr. Das said. Ptolemy, the Greek geographer mentioned about `Kantakossylia' on the mouths of the river Maesosolos (Krishna) near Maisolia (present day's Machilipatnam).

Ghantasala was first reported a historical site by Boswell to the East India Company in 1870-71. In 1892, Alexander Rea excavated the stupa at Ghantasala, which had a circumference of 112 feet and a height of 23 feet.

The ASI team consisting of archeologists Ch. Balaji Rao, W.A.S. Narasimham, A. Suresh, Murthy and K. Veeranjaneyulu did further excavations for a depth of six feet from what was believed to be the base of the stupa by Alexander Rea. The stupa had concentric inner wheels radiating towards a central chamber. There was a pradhakshana pada lower than what was believed earlier, said Dr. Das.

ASI Assistant Superintending Archeologist D. Kanna Babu said the recent excavations proved volumes on the legacy of architectural grandeur and the constructional expertise borrowed from the Maha stupa at Amaravathi.

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