GUWAHATI, Dec 4 ? The winter sun is once again illuminating artefacts, which have emerged from some mounds in Dubarani at Barpathar after a gap of several centuries. While there is no definite information when the artefacts became entrenched in the mounds, some of them could belong to AD 7-8 century.
Excavation in the Dubarani site in Golaghat district has till now revealed two brick-built temple plinths. In another round of recent excavation, a Shivalinga has also been exposed to the delight of the archaeologists. The objects are now being prepared for conservation in situ. Recently, Lecham Turung, a reputed teacher and journalist, inaugurated the second phase of the excavation, in the presence of local society members.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, the Director of Archaeology, Assam, Dr Hemendranath Dutta, who is leading the archaeological excavation said, ?We are positive that we would unearth significant objects from the mounds, because this area being fertile has witnessed human settlement since ancient times.? Another reason for the excitement over Dubarani is the extent of the site, which is spread over nearly two bighas of land.
The people around the site are noticeably elated that Dubarani has drawn the right attention, and are hopeful that soon more interesting finds would firmly establish it as a heritage site. It could be a windfall for the people of the area if the site could be developed into a place of tourist interest.
As a first step towards that direction, the site would be developed by structural conservation of the exposed evidence, constructing pathways, and erecting a permanent fence. Dubarani has also been cited as commendable example of co-operation between an individual and the Directorate of Archaeology, because a plot of land where quite a few of the mounds occur have been donated by its owner Kanchan Nag to the directorate. Nag?s generosity would go a long way in ensuring that the archaeological finds get due protection from the authorities concerned.
Incidentally, Dubarani could have retained its secrets beneath its mounds had it not been for two individuals, Atul Konwar and Sonaram Bharali, who had reported the recovery of artefacts from the area. The flow of reports emerging from the duo resulted in the first visit of archaeologists to the area. Their efforts also made the local people aware about the historic importance of the site.
Meanwhile excavation activities have also been undertaken at a site Dubarani Shiva temple in a plot of land belonging to Sabitri Kumar. The site has revealed evidence of a brick-built structure that dates back to early medieval times, a source in the Directorate stated.
The successful excavation at Dubarani has further encouraged the Archaeology Directorate to extend its activities to other areas. ?Chances are we would come up with artefacts from those areas, and then only the true pattern would emerge,? Dr Dutta said.