2021 season of Archaeological investigations at Tilaurakot-Kapilavastu concludes

Archaeologists and researchers from Nepal’s Department of Archaeology, the Lumbini Development Trust, and Durham University’s UNESCO Chair on Archaeological Ethics and Practice in Cultural Heritage completed archaeological field activities (March-April 2021) at the ancient Tilaurakot-Kapilavastu, Nepal.

This activity was part of the Japanese-sponsored UNESCO project for the strengthening of the management of Lumbini. It was started following approval for a late spring 2021 Covid-19 compliant field season. The team carried out excavations within the ancient walled city near the Samai Mai Shrine and the Central Walled Complex, a monumental palatial area identified through previous research by the team.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Close to the modern Samai Mai Shrine, the team uncovered the partial remains of an earlier phase of a temple complex built of carved and moulded bricks, similar to those found at the nearby sites of Chatradei and Kudan. Whilst the dates of these structures will only be confirmed following the scientific dating of samples extracted during the excavations, the investigations have confirmed that there was a concentration of monumental activity linked to the development of this multi-phase ritual complex.

The Central Walled Complex at the centre of the ancient city covers an area 100 by 100 metres and is defined by a large compound wall measuring 1.50 metres across, with individual bricks measuring 0.47 by 0.30 by 0.05 metres. The team investigated the southeastern return of this wall, which was associated with a small square structure, to identify the relationship between these two features. Their findings indicate that both the compound wall and square structure were built on the same land surface and were most likely contemporary. The square structure itself was found to have been built directly above an earlier structure of the same plan. The post-excavation analysis will help to identify the function of the later structure; nonetheless, its construction method has been identified, with brick footings cut by postholes to allow for timber roof and wall support posts.

Excavations continued to uncover later structures identified in levels above the compound wall in the northeast corner of the Central Walled Complex. Here, the team identified later paving laid on a prepared platform, which was constructed on an earlier quadrangular building. A small square plinth with a retaining wall was also uncovered, associated with the paving and prepared platform. Although still to be confirmed by scientific dating, the paving and plinth most likely represent late activity at Tilaurakot-Kapilavastu, stretching the timing of the site’s activity beyond the Gupta Period (third to ninth century CE) and into the Medieval Period (ninth to fourteenth century CE). This structure corresponds to the location of the Deva Temple mapped by archaeologist P.C. Mukherjee in the 1890s.

Monuments uncovered during this project are being conserved for future presentation to the public. These include stretches of the Central Walled Complex’s compound wall and southern tower. Furthermore, the modern Samai Mai Shrine has been repointed and consolidated, with sympathetic repairs undertaken to stabilize the monument, which has a tree growing within the structure itself.

Outside the city wall, auger profiles have been undertaken between the southern rampart and the southern industrial mound. By hand drilling cores every five metres down to natural soil, the team has been reconstructing the profile of the land below the current surface to investigate the depth and width of the ancient moat. Additional geophysical surveys also confirmed the presence of a large rectangular brick structure buried below the surface close to the Eastern Gate. As this area is currently used as a car park, it has been recommended that this commercial use of the land be halted as it may damage the archaeology below.

Capacity strengthening activities continued with practical training and lectures offered to Masters level students – 22 from Tribhuvan University and 16 from Lumbini Buddhist University. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings of people, the 2021 Tilaurakot-Kapilavastu Heritage Festival is being organised online, focusing on competitions for school children. The themes of this year’s drawing and speech competitions are threats to heritage in the Greater Lumbini Area for the former and the impact of the pandemic on heritage for the latter. The recordings and images from entrants will be hosted online by UNESCO.