Annual report - Ministry Of Culture

4 Bangarh, Gangarampur, District Southy
Dinajpur, West Bengal:
The excavation at Bangarh was taken up to
ascertain the complete cultural sequence of the
site.The excavation has unearthed successive
cultural sequence ranging from Pre-Mauryan to
Sultanate/Mughal period.The Pre-Mauryan
period was associated with Black Slipped Ware
and one Chalcedony bead and one terracotta
boat shape mound was also found. The
Mauryan period was characterized by typical
Mauryan bowl and dishes of Black Slipped
Ware along with typical Maruyan bricks.The
antiquities unearthed here include terracotta
gamesman, a terracotta cubical, iron handle and
punch marked coins. The Sunga Kushan period
is evident by the discovery of Sunga Terracotta
Plaques, punch marked and cast copper coins,
a medallion having stamped designs, stamped
potteries, red ware and grey wares.
5 Lathiya near Jamania District Gajipur, U.P:
The excavations at Lathiya has revealed on the
basis of ceramic industries, antiquities other
material culture recovered from the site, two
fold cultural sequence:
Period I: Sunga and Kushan Period
Period II: Gupta Period
The ceramic industry recovered from Sunga-
Kushana period is represented by black slipped
ware, black and red ware, grey ware and red
ware. The impressions of four brick temples of
Gupta period are found. The structures have
totally robbed and only ghost walls are left. All
these temples are facing east and having the
same plan. These were composed of two
architectural units, the sanctum (Garbha Griha)
and mandapa. Stone pillar is situated west of
the temple group. Temple No. 1 and 2 and its
enclosure wall were constructed in period II
phase I and temple no. 3 and 4 were
constructed in Phase II of same period.
ANNUAL REPORT 2010-2011 9
The antiquities recovered from the excavation
included terracotta inscribed sealings and an
ring cum seal made of copper with inscriptions
in Gupta Brahmi character are noteworthy.
Other antiquities are beads of terracotta, glass
and stone, terracotta human, animal, bird and
snake figurine; copper punch marked and cast
coins; gold plated, tortoise shaped terracotta
pendants, iron sickles and Khurpi and stone
querns, muller, sculpture fragments etc.
Archaeological Monuments
Amendment to AMASR Act 1958:
The Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and
Remains Act 1958 has been recently amended where
in provisions for nominating Competent Authority is
made to perform various functions including granting
permission for repair, renovation construction and
reconstruction near protected monument.
The amended Act provides setting up of National
Monuments Authority with chairman, full time
members and part time members. So far as
Competent Authorities are concerned 26 Competent
Authorities have already been notified to perform
functions under the Act. The setting up of National
Monument Authority is under way.
Light and Sound shows:
Though ASI does not organize and install Light and
Sound shows in protected monument, approvals in
principle are being accorded to State Department of
Tourism or ITDC as the case may be to install and
operate such shows in premises of protected
monuments. Recently light and Sound show has been
commissioned at Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan.
Tourist Amenities:
Various protected monuments are being visited by
large number of domestic as well as foreign tourist.
Regular efforts are being taken up to provide tourist