Dibrugarh: The ruins of an ancient temple, believed to be from the Salastambha dynasty (675 AD-725 AD) of Assam, have been discovered by the archaeological department during excavation in Jokai, 15km on the outskirts of this town.

A four-member team, led by technical head of the directorate of archaeology, Guwahati, Nabajit Deori, with the help of 25 villagers, have been excavating the site at Jokai Thangaon since December 26 last year after people of the area chanced upon pieces of some ancient structures there.

On getting information that ruins of an ancient temple were spotted at the site, the team started digging a one- bigha plot of land.

On Tuesday, the excavation team retrieved three stone sculptures there. Several silver coins, silver jewellery, clay plates, pottery items, utensils and a wall of stone and bricks were also found during the excavation.

Talking to this correspondent, Deori said: "We got the report that ruins of a temple were spotted and at the place and we decided to start digging in the particular area. The excavation process is still going on a plot of land spread over one bigha. So far, we have found several relics from the site. It is a very ancient temple. We dug out three stone idols which we believe to be of the 7th century."

"The Salastambha dynasty was in power in ancient Kamrupa (modern day Assam) during that period. The relics bear impressions of Salastambha as well as the Ahom era. We will have to conduct carbon dating to know the exact period. We have also found some British-era coins. We are expecting more discoveries in the area," Deori said.

"Before the Ahom kings several dynasties ruled Assam and already ruins have been found from many places of the state. This discovery will help us know more about the dynasties. We are hopeful that we will find more ruins from the site," Deori said.

According to historians, the Salastambha dynasty ruled in ancient Assam from 675 AD to 725 AD.

Avanti Varman, also known as the first Salastambha, was the founder of the dynasty. The Ahom dynasty was founded by Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha and they ruled Assam from 1228 AD to 1826 AD.