The site of Tilaurakot, located in southwest Nepal, represents one of the best-preserved ancient cities within South Asia. Applying evidence uncovered through recent archaeological investigations supported by Durham University, the Government of Nepal is now preparing Tilaurakot for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Over the past decade, Durham’s UNESCO Chair team, alongside colleagues from Archaeological Services and several Durham MA and PhD alumni from South Asia and Europe, have been working in partnership with the Department of Archaeology (Government of Nepal) and Lumbini Development Trust on a programme of archaeological investigations at the site of Tilaurakot in southwest Nepal, which has been identified by many scholars as Kapilavastu, the childhood home of the Buddha. Sponsored by the Japanese-Funds-in-Trust-For UNESCO, the team have revealed new information about the ancient city’s layout and development.
A combination of mapping, geophysical survey, and excavation has shown the city to be extremely well-planned, with a grid iron layout of streets leading to gateways through large ramparts and a wide moat. The streets are lined with brick structures, including shops and shrines as well as a monumental 100 by 100 metre administrative complex, defined by a massive wall and gateway at the heart of the city. Surrounding the walled site are the remains of suburbs, industrial areas as well as religious establishments, including an extensive Buddhist monastic complex discovered to the east of the site. A programme of scientific dating has placed the origins of the site back to the eighth century BCE, with occupation dated through to the eleventh century CE.
Students from Tribhuvan University being trained in geophysical survey
A workshop held in early March 2020, led by Durham’ UNESCO Chair and partners in Nepal, brought together experts from across Western and Southern Asia to undertake a comparative study of Tilaurakot with similar regional sites. A key part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Nomination process, the comparative workshop delegates confirmed that Tilaurakot’s antiquity, longevity and collection of features make it one of the best-preserved examples of an ancient city in South Asia. They also noted that further work was required to strengthen the Government of Nepal’s bid for UNESCO World Heritage Status, including understanding of the city moats and the Eastern monastic complex.
The team are currently on fieldwork at Tilaurakot and, following the steer from the comparative workshop recommendations, are currently excavating the silted moat, and have identified a causeway across this feature that led towards the Eastern gateway of the city. They are also excavating the Eastern monastic complex, further defining its structures, including a brick-lined pond. The season will close at the end of March 2023 with a UNESCO International Scientific Committee Meeting, which will discuss the findings, but will also include a Heritage Festival. An annual event, the Heritage Festival includes competitions for local school children and celebrates the crafts and traditions of resident communities alongside raising awareness of the area’s rich archaeological heritage. There is currently an exhibition at Kapilavastu Museum about the project which provides information on the site and the project.
Find out more:
Learn more about the team’s work at Tilaurakot-Kapilavastu and their previous investigations at the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lumbini, the Birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
Find out more about the research of the UNESCO Chair on Archaeological Ethics and Practice in Cultural Heritage Team.
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