Hundreds of un-deciphered clay inscriptions and bronze compositions, dating back upto the early middle ages, have been lying idle for a long time lacking proper attention from the authorities.
These terracotta, examples of the rich traditional history of Bengal from the ancient times, are now being kept at several archeological museums and storage rooms.
Department of Archeology, Bangladesh admitted that there has been a lack of initiative from the government regarding proper study of these excavated pieces of history.
Mohammad Abdul Khaleque, former director general of the department, said it was three years ago that the archeology department took an initiative to invite scholars of the country to study and decipher the clay inscriptions excavated from several sites.
However, a prominent scholar in this field of study, Dr Bijoy Krishna Banik, who is also the deputy keeper at Zainul Abedin Sagrahasala, said he received no call.
“So far I know the department is yet to invite any scholar in the country,” he said. “Now many terracotta are being kept in several store rooms of the department, including Sompur Buddhist Bihar and Mahasthangarh museum, for a long time.”
Department of Archeology said these terracotta were excavated from several sites including Paharpur, popularly known as Sompur Buddhist Bihar of Naogaon, Vasu Bihar and Mahantangarh of Bogra.
Sompur Buddhist Bihar was a Buddhist temple was from 770AD to 810 AD, the early middle ages, during the rule of King Dharmapala, Mohammad Mahbub-ul-Alam, custodian at Paharpur Archeological Musem, said.
The inscriptions were found several years ago near the existing temple in the area, he said. “Many of the terracotta are being kept in store rooms. Some are on display in the museum.”
Huge terracotta samples were recovered from Vasu Vihara during an excavation in 2008 and 2009, experts said. They carried symbols which were very rare.
Naheed Sultana, former custodian at Mahastangarh Archeological Museum, said some of those samples carried the symbol of a deer which is known as “Dharmachakro.”
“But, there are also those with a bird-like inscription, they are very rare and uncommon,” she said.
Dr Bijoy Krishna Banik said there have been little study in the field of archeology in Bangladesh for the lack of scholars and initiatives from the government.
Professor Dr Sultan Ahmad, director of Varendra Research Museum in Rajshahi said that the government must take immediate steps for deciphering these terracotta.
These pieces of ancient history from ancient times is now calling at the authorities for uncovering a deeper insight into the chronicles of Bengal.
