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<i>Strong quakes hit Mahasthangarh long ago, damaged structures</i>

9 February 2009, 18:00 PM

NATIONAL

Staff Correspondent, Bogra

Excavation at Mahasthangarh archaeological site in progress.Photo: STAR

A Bangladesh-France joint excavation team that has dug out a brick built floor and walls along with other artefacts at Mahasthangarh archaeological site in Bogra recently found evidence that earthquake damaged the ancient structures long ago. Bangladesh team led by Programme Director Md Abdul Khaleque and France team led by Dr Jean Franqois Salles started the excavation in cooperation with other archaeologists including France team Co-director Dr Marie Franqois Boussac, Dr Ernelle Berlient, earthquake expert Professor Bruno Hell, Dr Babara Faticoni, Mahbub-Ul-Alam and Naheed Sultana in the south-east corner of Mahasthangarh, one of the most important archaeological sites in South Asia on December 20 last year. Professor Bruno Hell confirmed that some brick built walls at the site collapsed and got covered under the ground due to strong earthquakes long ago. Parts of two stone images including a 'Surya' image and anchor have been found during joint excavation at the site, Mahabub-Ul-Alam told The Daily Star. A sandstone-made broken 'Jakkhini' image of Gupta period and some other artefacts of different era have also been found during the excavation, Naheed Sultana said. It is presumed that the recently found brick built floor and some other brick walls were made during the Pala period, said Mahbub-Ul-Alam.