Gaya: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Magadh University (MU) is set to undertake an archaeological excavation at Dubba in Gurua block — a site believed to hold remnants of ancient Buddhist and Brahmanical civilisations. The site was earlier inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar.The excavation is expected to start in March.Dubba, also known as Dubbagarh in Gurua block, around 35 km west of Gaya district headquarters, is believed to have ruins pertaining to ancient monasteries and stupas, temples, statues of Buddha, and pillars with ancient scripts.Vice-chancellor Shashi Pratap Shahi, while addressing a press conference on Wednesday, said: “It is for the first time that MU is undertaking an archaeological excavation. No other state university in Bihar has conducted archaeological excavations in the past four decades. Permission for this excavation has been granted by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Union ministry of culture.”“A proposal for the excavation work, with recommendation by state minister of art and culture Arun Shankar Prasad, was submitted to the Centre through appropriate channels,” he said.He added, “In a bid to provide compulsory field training and scientific study to students and researchers studying at the department of Ancient Indian and Asian Studies (AIAS), newly appointed faculty members have been continuously carrying out archaeological activities at various sites and antiquities of archaeological importance scattered around the Magadh region, especially in and around Bodh Gaya.”“The excavation exercise will include finding evidence of mythological and Buddhist cultures and identifying contemporary archaeological sites and monuments other than Bodh Gaya, and understanding their importance. Apart from the involvement of the MU team, if any educational institution in the country wants to participate in the excavation work, we will welcome them and our experienced team will help in providing training,” the VC added.The team directing and supervising the excavation work comprises faculty members including Shankar Sharma, director of the excavation team; Alka Mishra, co-director; Janmejay Singh; Chandra Prakash; Vijaykant Yadav; Alok Ranjan; and Anup Kumar Bhardwaj.The director said, “Excavation work is expected to begin in the second fortnight of March.”
