On December 1, 2024, archaeologists, students, and laborers began excavating a mound at the Ratnagiri Buddhist heritage site in Odisha, India.
They unearthed a 1.4-meter-tall Buddha head, the largest ever discovered in Odisha. Two other Buddha heads were also found nearby.
Significance of Ratnagiri: Ratnagiri, meaning "hills of jewels," is part of the "Diamond Triangle" of Buddhist sites in Odisha.
It flourished from the 5th to the 13th century AD, with Buddhist activity continuing until the 16th century.
Excavation Objectives: The excavation aimed to uncover partially visible remains and locate a "chaitya griha" (shrine complex), similar to those found at nearby Udayagiri and Lalitgiri.
Findings at Ratnagiri: Besides the Buddha heads, the excavation revealed:
A monolithic elephant sculpture.
Hundreds of votive stupas.
Brick and stone masonry structures.
Sanskrit inscriptions on stone tablets (Kutila/Siddhamatrika script).
Fine grey ware pottery.
A lion pedestal (Buddha’s Simhasana).
Votive sculptures of Buddhist deities (Amoghasiddhi, Ratnasambhava, Akshobhya, Amitabha).
Shrine Complex: While a "chaitya griha" like those at Udayagiri and Lalitgiri was not found, a different shaped shrine complex was discovered, indicated by the arranged sequence of votive stupas.
Artistic Excellence: The Buddha sculptures at Ratnagiri are noted for their intricate details and refined craftsmanship, suggesting a higher level of expertise compared to other sites in the region.
Collaboration: The excavation involves archaeologists, students, and experts from institutions like Alexandria University (Egypt) and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology (India), as well as students from Utkal University (Odisha).
COMMENTS