File picture of one of the idols found in Kendrapara

Kendrapara, May 30: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has endorsed the antiquity of Buddhist idols discovered recently from a remote village here.

The officials, who had inspected the idols found at Sadanandpur village on May 25, traced them back to 9th century AD. Deputy superintending engineer of the ASI (Bhubaneswar circle) Sushant Kumar Kar said: “A team of experts visited Sadanandapur village. We found four Buddhist sculptures which date back to 9th century AD, when the Bhaumakara rulers held sway in Kalinga.”

The chance discovery of the idols was made not far away from the Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udaygiri Buddhist heritage sites, now protected by the ASI. Both Kendrapara and Jajpur districts house a treasure trove of Buddhist heritage and legacy. A number of these are lying unexplored.

One of the sculptures discovered has some Pali script messages on it. The ASI is taking steps for conservation of the idols.

“Local people were unaware of the value of the idols. However, they have not damaged them,” said researcher Harish Chandra Prusty. He said the sculptures had a striking resemblance to the ones unearthed at Buddhist heritage sites at Udaygiri and Langudi in Jajpur.

Buddhism flourished under Bhaumakaras and Somvamshis between the 7th and 11th century AD. With the disintegration of these dynasties, it declined.

“The discovery of these sculptures bear ample testimony to the rich history of the place. They need to be protected as there is every likelihood of more similar discoveries being made from these places. Both the state archaeology department and the ASI should come forward to conserve the idols,” said archaeologist Bijoy Kumar Rath.

Many others share Rath’s point of view. However, short of resources the state government has been able to do little to protect the great historical heritage.