Guwahati, Sept. 24: Did the Assam capital ever have a link with the famed silk route? The intriguing question would be answered soon with the publication of the state archaeology department’s report on the Ambari excavations.

No formal report on the Ambari excavations, which began way back in 1969, has been published till date. The director of the state archaeology department, H.N. Dutta, said a complete report of the excavations would throw new light on the importance of Guwahati in the archaeological context.

The Ambari excavations have raised enough dust for all the wrong reasons — infighting between the officials and an acute funds crunch. The project was also jeopardised by the rising water level at the site, stopping all digging activities beyond six feet. “Unless there is a masterplan to control the water level, the project cannot progress,” a source said.

The objects and artefacts found during the excavations would be displayed in a museum near the site. “During the National Games in 2005, the site would be displayed to showcase the archaeological importance of the city,” Dutta said.

The accidental discovery of some ancient sculptures when the Reserve Bank of India wanted to have an office in Ambari prompted the archaeology department to undertake the excavations. Nearly 500 objects, ranging from the ninth to the 14th century, have been found, comprising sculptures, terracotta and other items.

“It is a riverine site and had links with South East Asian countries. But this needs to be proved,” he said.

The one-site museum, complete with a counter for books, will display all the sculptures, terracotta objects and photographs taken during the three decades of excavations.

“We would project it as a tourist site laced with neat pathways,” he added.

An index map of the site showing its location would be put up for the convenience of the visitors.

Dutta said the display objects would be collected from the anthropology department, which conducted the excavations during the initial stages, and shifted to the on-site museum.

He said the artefacts have revealed that people inhabited the site for several centuries. The pottery at Ambari had similarities with the ones found in ancient Hastinapur.