A Buddihst monastery or vihara, believed to have been built sometime between the fifth and seventh centuries, has been discovered in Parbatipur upazila of Dinajpur.
However, the actual time of its construction can be ascertained only through radiocarbon dating—a method for determining the age of an object containing organic material.
So far, nine rooms, ostensibly for monks, a central temple and its premises have been identified at the site of the monastery, sources have said.
Parts of different kinds of claypots, crushed stones and some objects resembling the remains of animals have also been found there, they added.
Sohag Ali, a teacher at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, who led the researchers’ team involved in the process, said: “We’ve found the monastery, whose actual construction period can be confirmed once the entire site is excavated.”
The Department of Archaeology said it would take proper measures to preserve the discovery for future generations. Altogether 20 laborers have been excavating at the site since February.
