30-Apr-2019: Rare life-size figurine unearthed in Phanigiri

Archaeologists in Telangana have unearthed a rare treasure in the form of a life-sized stucco sculpture from a Buddhist site at Phanigiri in Suryapet. It is the biggest stucco sculpture found in the country so far. The life-size figurine found in the excavations is thought to represent one of Bodhisattva in Jataka Chakra.

The stucco has been brought to Hyderabad for mending and conservation, and is currently being watched over at the department of heritage in Gunfoundry.

The stucco is about 1.73 metres in height and 35 cm in width. The stucco was found facing the ground on the north-eastern side of the Buddhist site at Phanigiri.

Apart from the life-sized stucco, these excavations brought to light a Mahastupa, apsidal chaitya grihas, votive stupas, pillared congregation halls, viharas, platforms with staircases at various levels, sculptural panels with Brahmi inscriptions, belonging to Satavahana period from first century BC, continued with Mahayana till the end of Ikshavaku period and others in third-fourth century AD.

The preliminary excavation at Phanigiri was started in 1941 by Khaja Muhammad Ahmad of archaeology department of the then erstwhile Hyderabad state, and it continued till 1944. After that, he state Archaeology and Museums Department (department of heritage) conducted excavations again after six decades, between 2001 and 2010, and once in 2013-14.

This year, the excavations in the site are being conducted in collaboration with Deccan College of Archaeology, Pune. The excavations, which began on February 2, are scheduled to be conducted till May 15.