June 20, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 15, 1429

TAXILA, June 19: Archeologists have discovered a statue of Bodhisattva Maitreya at the remains of a Buddhist monastery in Badal Pur area some 13 kilometres north-east of Taxila Museum.

Talking to Dawn here on Thursday, Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums’ director exploration Dr Mohammad Ashraf Khan, who is conducting the excavation and preservation of the ancient site, said the sculpture belonging to 2nd Century AD of Kanishka-I dynasty was made of black schist stone and measured two feet high and 16 inches wide.

Dr Khan said other important antiquities were also discovered recently, including a relic casket made of soap stone, three grinding mills with Kharashoti inscription in which name of the owner is engraved, 10 coins, four iron and copper monastery bells and more than 10 beads.

He said a assembly hall was also found in the monastery in good shape, adding that it was being excavated and preserved accordingly.

“These are important discoveries in Taxila valley as they will not only open new chapters of the history for the archeologists and researchers of Gandhara as well as Buddhism, but also attract more tourists, especially from Buddhist countries” Dr Khan said.

During last couple of months, many more significant discoveries were also made which included five umbrellas of votive stupas, a big iron pan, 188 copper coins, a surgical instrument, copper pendants, iron objects like nails, clamps, hinges, a saw, and a number of potteries like storage jars, pots, bowls, terra-cotta oil lamps and a heart-shaped schist stone lamp.

Besides, the remains of eight monks’ cells have been discovered. The walls of the cells still retain mud plasters both on interior and exterior surfaces, which are in a good state of preservation.

The director said this stupa and monastery built on 2.9 acres belonged to early Kushan period (first century AD).

Dr Khan, who possesses doctoral degree from Sorbonne University France in Buddhist art and culture and has over 27 years of experience in archaeology, said the stupa would be preserved in future.

He said the stupa had its own significance and importance, as it was one of the biggest stupas discovered in the Taxila valley.

He said in year 1925, Natisa Aiyar had partially excavated the stupa.

According to Dr Khan, renowned British archeologist Sir John Marshall, who conducted the first excavation at Taxila valley in 1916-17, in his initial report mentioned this site as “non- potential site” for lack of antiquities.