Archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have reported significant new discoveries at the Ratnagiri archaeological site in Jajpur district, revealing remains related to the region’s 1-year-old Buddhist heritage. The site, located in the Indian state of Odisha, is known for its connection to early Buddhist settlements, and experts say the latest findings shed new light on Ratnagiri’s role as a major centre of Buddhist activity.
The excavation began several months ago in collaboration with local universities – Cotton College in Guwahati, Sambalpur University and Utkal University – under the supervision of ASI Deputy Superintendent Prajnya Pratin Pradhan. The project marks the first major fieldwork at Ratnagiri in over six decades after excavations in the late 1950s and early 1960s established the site as a centre of Buddhist monastic life. Those earlier excavations unearthed a brick stupa, three monastic complexes, eight temples and over 700 votive stupas.
Site officials noted that the most significant recent discovery was a broken monolithic elephant measuring 1,5 metres long and 1,1 metres high. "The excavation also revealed a wealth of treasures, including a colossal Buddha head, sculptural fragments of Buddhist deities, monolithic and masonry votive stupas, as well as an assortment of brick and stone structures and a collection of ceramics," they added. (Odisha Bytes)
"The excavated Buddhist monastery dates back to the 8th century and was built under the patronage of (the) Bhaumakura dynasty that flourished in ancient Odisha between the 8th and 11th centuries," said Odisha Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies (OIMSEAS) Secretary Dr Sunil Patnaik.India Time)
Dr Patnaik pointed out that the newly discovered Buddha images featured distinctive hairstyles not typically seen in other parts of India, underlining the importance of the site for a deeper understanding of Buddhist history in India.
Historically known as the 'Hill of Jewels', Ratnagiri gained prominence in modern studies in 1905, when the area was surveyed by Manmohan Chakravarty, a local sub-divisional officer. Subsequent surveys and excavations from 1958 to 1961 produced evidence of extensive Buddhist settlements.
Despite Ratnagiri's archaeological significance, ongoing conservation faces local challenges. "Many villagers have built structures on parts of the Buddhist site," said Tapan Pati, a former history teacher at Kendrapada Autonomous College.India Time) Such encroachments make preservation difficult and authorities are seeking government intervention to protect the site. Pati explained that these remains were crucial to understanding early Buddhism in Odisha, representing a major reservoir of religious art and architecture.
The newly discovered monastery and other artifacts are expected to provide insight into the evolution of Buddhism in the region during and after the Bhaumakura dynasty. Scholars point to Ratnagiri’s location, nestled in a larger network of similar sites in eastern India, as evidence of the spread and influence of Buddhist practice and teachings along important trade and pilgrimage routes.
ASI Deputy Superintendent Pradhan noted that the joint excavation project combined expertise from archaeology, art history and epigraphy, making it a multidisciplinary effort.
The latest discoveries at Ratnagiri could revive public interest in Odisha's broader Buddhist heritage, leading to better protection and awareness of this remarkable archaeological monument.
Archaeologists plan to continue their work at Ratnagiri, with the aim of systematically documenting the site’s configuration, dating and cultural significance. The new discoveries have already attracted the attention of Indian and international scholars of Buddhist studies, reflecting Ratnagiri’s potential as a key destination for historians, spiritual practitioners and cultural tourists.
See more
60 years after the first excavations, Buddhist complex discovered in Ratnagiri (India Time)
Odisha's 'largest and most graceful' relics found at Ratnagiri Buddhist site in Jajpur (Odisha Bytes)
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The article Archaeologists Discover Buddhist Artifacts in Ratnagiri, India appeared first on Buddhadoor Global.
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