GUWAHATI, Sept 28 � Plans are afoot to develop an archaeological park at the Ambari archaeological site of the city. At this site remnants of an ancient city dated back to 2nd century BC was found during the latest excavation conducted jointly by the State Directorate of Archaeology (DoA) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This has proved beyond doubt that Guwahati is an over 2000-year-old city, that is, it existed even during the Shunga-Kanishka period of Indian history.
The DoA has already made communications with the offices which have been occupying the site to vacate the place for the purpose of setting up the park. It needs mention here that at the Ambari archaeological site, the Guwahati office of the ASI, the city office of the Anundoram Borooah Institute of Language, Art and Culture, office of the Indian Art History Congress and the Guwahati Press Club are located, besides the office of the DoA.
The DoA has proposed to remove all the old buildings of the site and to excavate the entire site fully to expose its remaining archaeological potential and thus to provide a heritage site to the people of the State in the heart of the State capital, said Archaeology Director Dr H N Dutta.
