Page 44 - Mann Ki Baat (English)

Archaeological Excavation at
Zehanpora Baramulla is the first of its kind
Archaeological Excavation undertaken
by the Department in the history of the
Department as well as J&K that is why, it has
been titled the ‘First Act of the Spade’.
Zehanpora Baramulla is a
geographically and strategically significant
site as it was historically north-western entry
route into the Kashmir Valley, traditionally
connecting the region with Gandhara
and Central Asia. In the 7th Century C.E.,
the Chinese pilgrim Xuan Zang described
entering the valley through the ‘stone
gates’ of Baramulla, noting the presence of
numerous stupas and monasteries before
Kuldeep Krishan residing at a major vihara at Ushkur which
Sidha (JKAS) is in Baramulla.
Director To proceed with the technological
Archives, Archaeology & know-how and the expertise thereof, the
Museums,
Jammu & Kashmir department entered into an MoU with
Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of
Kashmir for collaboration and cooperation
FIRST ACT towards Archaeological Research,
Exploration, Preservation, Conservation and
OF THE Documentation of Archaeological Sites. The
Project is one of its kind in the country wherein
SPADE Archaeological Excavation is being carried
out under convergence and dovetailing
of resources between the government
Archaeological department and an educational institution.
The excavation process took a measured
Excavation approach to expose each layer of soil that
at Zehanpora was naturally formed, with a photographic
Baramulla, J&K record taken at the end of every day
documenting soil changes, features and
artefacts encountered during excavation. All
notable discoveries had precise coordinate
points and were documented in place
through photography and hand-drawn
diagrams. The most significant evidence

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