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Anand Mohan Sahay in Patna
Archaeologists have unearthed a trade township of the Kushan period in Panda in Samastipur district of Bihar.
The discovery is expected to throw new light on the expansion of the Kushan empire in eastern India.
Preliminary excavations have revealed that Panda had developed into a famous trade centre between sixth century BC and second century BC, Choudhary, who led the excavation team, told rediff.com.
Dr Bijoy K Choudhary, Director of the Patna-based K P Jayaswal Research Institute, said a detailed report on the excavation would be sent to the Archaeological Survey of India urging it to undertake a full-fledged excavation of the site.
The excavations, he said, have also revealed a number of buildings made of burnt bricks. "We have also found copper coins. The evidence clearly indicates that Panda had evolved as an important trade township."
He said steatite and terracotta beads, bone arrowheads and boneware have also been found.
The use of northern black polished ware, he said, indicated that a segment of the population at Panda had become prosperous.
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