'Geophysical Survey' in Panchkhal, abundant potential of archeological heritage

Kavrepalanchok, 16 Chaitra (RSS:
The Department of Archeology has completed the work of 'Geophysical Survey' at the archeological site in Panchkhal Municipality of Kavrepalanchok. According to the department, a survey conducted in Panchkhal-7 and surrounding areas by a team from the United Kingdom has shown a lot of potential for historical archeological heritage.

Archaeological Officer of the Department, Bishnu Pathak, informed that the area around Simali, Basuki, Maltar, Kankeshwar Mahadev Temple and Health Post at Panchkhal-7 has been surveyed. According to him, a team of experts from Durham University in the UK conducted a three-day survey in different places of Ward No. 7 including Bhamrakot of Panchkhal-6. "There is a lot of potential for historical heritage in the surveyed area. After the data analysis, the expert team will give a detailed report of the survey shortly," said Pathak.

The Panchkhal survey, launched on Thursday by two British experts and two representatives from the Department of Archeology, ended on Saturday. According to Pathak, a geophysical survey was conducted in Panchkhal using British survey machines and drone cameras. He said, "The more surveyed areas are surveyed, the more likely they are." According to him, more excavations are needed in Panchkhal after the report is received.

In the first phase, a geophysical survey was conducted in Panchkhal along with other areas of Nepal to find out what kind of physical infrastructure is underground, said Damodar Gautam, director of the department. According to him, the department had earlier informed the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) about the Panchkhal heritage last Ashar (June 29, 2020). An eight-member team of experts from Durham University in the United Kingdom visited Nepal in the first week of March to survey the heritage in different parts of the country including Panchkhal.

According to Gautam, a team has been called from the UK as it is necessary to conduct a geophysical survey in some places of Nepal during the excavations. The team had started heritage research from Kapilvastu. The team has surveyed various places in six districts of the country and excavations are underway in Tilaurakot, according to the department. Apart from Tilaurakot of Kapilvastu, Lamkiya and Chetradehi areas were surveyed.

According to the department, the geophysical survey was carried out in the Panchkhal area of ​​Kavrepalanchok about two years ago. The survey machine detects the physical condition of the heritage area and up to seven meters below the ground. A report prepared by Uddhav Acharya, an authorized reader and senior archaeologist of the department participating in the excavation, confirms that the excavation site and the pillars are of Lichchhavi and medieval historical heritage. It is mentioned as a medieval historical heritage.

Other sizes of bricks and embers found during the excavation remain to be further investigated. A three-meter-long and two-meter-wide excavation at Shrirampati found a water pipeline through a mud ditch inside a concrete brick kiln. It is also mentioned in the report that Garo has been strengthened by mixing 60 centimeters of tune on the basis of one meter of 50 centimeters using local stone.

Researchers have been suggesting that the excavation site be protected and that illegal excavations be stopped. The District Administration Office, Kavrepalanchok, has been banning 'mining' in the heritage area for the protection of the property found in the Panchkhal municipal area. The office had informed Panchkhal Napa in a letter on Mangsir 29, 2076 BS to get the approval and consent of the department not to 'mine' in the heritage area.