Patna, Feb. 9: The state art and culture department has chalked out a long-term plan for excavating some sites of archeological importance in the state.

The sites that the department intends to excavate after getting the permission of archeological survey of India (ASI) are Kutumba in Aurgangabad district, Ami in Saran, Papaur in Siwan and Chausagarh in Buxar, said a source.

The information gathered from Kutumba during surveys conducted in past have indicated the presence of a fortified temple complex. Ami is located near the excavated site of Chirand, a historic trade centre, which flourished during the 1st century. Lord Buddha is said to have stayed at Papaur in Siwan on his way to Kushinagar. D. K. Choudhary of Cambridge University had done an extensive survey of this site in 1994 but not much was done after that to find out authentic information about this site.

Chausagarh in Buxar is said to be famous for the varieties of terracotta headgears made here. No excavation had been done here till date.

“Our long-term plan is excavate all important sites so that authentic facts about these can be documented,” art and culture department principal secretary K.P. Ramaiah told The Telegraph. He said instead of spreading itself thin by undertaking all the works at one go, the department would carry out out the excavations one by one.

“Right now we are busy carrying out the excavation work at Telhara in Nalanda. Proposal for getting ASI permission would be sent in the next fiscal,” Ramaiah said.

He said the excavation would not only help in getting authentic information about these sites but such information would also be helpful for tourists interested in exploring the rich historical and cultural heritage of Bihar.