GUWAHATI, Jan 22 - The findings of the excavation works at Ambari Archaeological Site in the city, conducted at the lowest layer around 6 metre below the surface in 2008-09, led to the conclusion that human civilisation existed in Guwahati, which was known as Pragjyotishpura in the ancient times, in the Sunga-Kushana period of the Indian history, between the 2nd century BC and the 1st century AD.
This was the observation made by Dr Milan Kumar Chauley, Superintending Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India�s (ASI�s) Guwahati Office. He was delivering the keynote address of the 17th Sarat Chandra Sarma Memorial Lecture at the Kanaklal Barooah Auditorium of the State Museum here today. The lecture was organised by the Sarat Chandra Sarma Prachyatatva Adhyan Kendra.
Dr Chauley also maintained that the temple architecture in Assam is more akin to that of Central India, contrary to the common belief that it is akin to that of Odissa and underscored the need to undertake serious research works on the archaeological findings of the State and also on more archaeological excavations.
For, he said proper exploration in the NE region is yet to take place and this is the reason as to why little is known about its history.
The most interesting finds of Ambari is the Kaolin Pottery of the 7th century AD, which is not found anywhere in the country. Again, the Roman Roulette Pottery of the 2nd Century BC is also another significant findings of Ambari.
The findings of Ambari show that it was a place for mixing of the people from South East Asia and the mainland India, said Dr Chauley.
Making a presentation on understanding Ambari, IIT Guwahati Assistant Professor Dr Sukanya Sarma said that the study of the potteries found at Ambari of the 12th to 17 th Century AD confirm that there was a well-developed wheel-made-technology to prepare the potteries in Pragjyotishpura.
The function was presided over by Jatin Goswami, president of the Adhyan Kendra and Dr Promode Chandra Bhattacharyya released the 2nd edition of Abalokanat Asamor Itihas authored by Adhyan Kendra secretary Kanak Chandra Sarma. It was also addressed by State Museum Director YS Wengllington, among others.
