Ambari archaeological site lies neglected

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, May 28: The archaeological site at Ambari in Guwahati is one of the richest sites in Assam. It attracts visitors and tourists from different parts of the State as well as other parts of the country for its archaeological importance.

Since 1968, this site has been dug up several times to find more archaeological remains that are believed to lie buried.

The Ambari Archaeological Site was accidentally discovered in course of digging the foundation for the building of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). From 1970 to 2003, the site was excavated. The archaeological remains found in the site are classified into two distinct cultural periods ranging from 7th century to 12th century AD and 13th century to 17th century AD respectively.

The most important discovery of the excavation of Ambari Archaeological Site during 2008-09 was a flight of steps made of brick leading to a tank. The excavation also revealed two floors and two hearths resting on tural soil.

But the site is slowly but steadily losing its importance due to neglect by the State government. During rainy season, the entire place gets filled with rain water. The site then resembles a gutter choked with overgrown thicket.

For the development of this archaeological site, the Public Works Department (PWD) this time carried out different construction works like boundary wall, toilet blocks, path leading to the site and leveling of structures with stone pebbles.

Dr DR Kouli, Director In-Charge, Directorate of Archaeology, Assam, told The Sentinel: "The area was in good condition and shape 10 years ago but the condition of the site has aggravated due to draige problem. The rainwater gets stuck in the area due to the non-functiol draige system in the site."

Under the Directorate of Archaeology, there are 115 protected archaeological sites and monuments in the State and one such site has newly been found in Dibrugarh.

Sources informed that there are only 88 employees including 13 officers and the director in the Directorate of Archaeology. One post of deputy director and two posts of conservation officer in the Directorate are currently lying vacant. Sources said the conservation efforts by the Directorate have been hampered to an extent due to this shortage of personnel.

Sources further said around 25 fourth grade personnel and 10 third grade personnel are needed to be recruited for carrying out different site maintence works.