The archaeological site at Ambari. Picture by Eastern Projections

Nov. 22: Preservation of the past occupies as important a place on Dispur’s agenda as the beautification of the present.

The Archaeological Survey of India has approved Dispur’s ambitious scheme to protect historical monuments in north Guwahati as well as in Ambari.

H.N. Dutta, director of the state archaeology department, said the ASI has cleared the project and the funds required for its execution would be released in a phased manner. He said the ASI would provide funds and extend all possible support to the project, including providing manpower and technological expertise to the archaeology department.

“At present, we are giving highest priority to excavation and exploration in north Guwahati. Since the government has several plans and projects to transform north Guwahati into the next best suitable place to stay, after the heart of the city, the first phase of the project will be executed there. The project is expected to begin within December,” he said.

Dutta said there are many historical sites in north Guwahati and a section of the funds would be utilised to protect and preserve the sites.

Aswaklanta, Manikarneswar, Dirgheswari, Rudreswar Devalaya and Auniati Satra are some of the sites, which will be protected and preserved under the scheme. The archaeology department will also take up the protection, preservation and excavation of the Ambari archaeological site in the second phase of the project.

According to Dutta, the archaeology department has already contacted city-based ASI officials and they have assured the department of its full support and co-operation.

“Though several construction activities have disrupted excavation at the Ambari site, we have not lost hope and taken up numerous initiatives. A website of the Ambari site will also be launched to get global support for the project. I have compiled a comprehensive report on the Ambari excavation and released a book on the subject. The book and proposed website would a go a long way in creating awareness on the need to protect the site,” Dutta said.

Over 1,000 artefacts of historical importance have been found at the Ambari site after years of excavation.

According to Dutta, the artefacts found so far have revealed that the civilisation, which had once existed there, was over several centuries old.

An Assam government official said the approval is significant considering the fact that scholars and experts were in the city till yesterday to participate in a national seminar on Ambari Archaeological Site: A Cultural Epitome of Assam. Experts expressed concern over the sorry state of archaeological sites in the city.

Dutta said the archaeology department has also planned to collaborate with the Allahabad Museum to preserve the archaeological sites.