Achievements of Department of Archaeology & Museums
Exploration:
.:. The Department has conducted explorations for identification of ancient habitation sites and historical monuments and discovered Rock-Art sites at Nrsapur in Warangal District, Sivaru Venkatapur in Medak District, Akka maha Devi caves near Srisailam In Mahabubnagar District, Veparala In Ganupenta MandaI of Ananthapur District, besides a good number of Megalithic and Early historical settlements .
:. In course of explorations, the staff has identified historical monuments and proposals were sent to Government for protection in view of their historical and architectural importance .
Excavations:
:. During the Financial year 2008 - 09, the Department has conducted excavations at Kotilingala located on the right bank of river Godavari in Karimnagar District. The excavations brought to light brick structures associated with coins of Pre-Satavahana, Satavahana, Punch - Marked coins, lime stone fragments of stupa, Buddha padas and other antiquities datable to 3rd century B.C. to 2nd century A.D .
:. As per the archaeological evidences, it is concluded that the Kotilingala is the Capital city of Andhras. It is considered to be one of the 30 walled Towns of Andhras mentioned by Megasthanese, a Greek Ambassador, who visited India during 3rd century B.C .
Museums:
:. The Srisailam Pavilion building in the premises of the Directorate for housing un-earthed antiquities and art objects collected from Srisailam submersible areas of Srisailam Project was completed in the year
.:. It was not thrown open to the public for the past two decades due to various reasons. In the year 2009 certain galleries were re-organised with the Central Finance Assistance Scheme (G.O.I) and the Museum was renamed as the A.P. Archaeological Mu eum and thrown open to the public on 21-1-2009 .
:. The A.P. Archaeological Museum is first of its kind in the country, wherein housed excavated antiquities and art objects. It is attracting scholars and students working in the fields of Pre-Proto and early historical cultures of Andhra Pradesh .
:. Under security measures, arrangements were made for installation of C.C.T.V. Cameras in all the galleries of A.P. State Museum, Hyderabad during the Financial year 2008-09 with the Central Finance Funds.
Kakatiya Temple Project:
.:. It is a novel project taken by the Department to conserve and restore the dilapidated temples of Kakatiya times, mainly covering the districts of War an gal, Karimnagar and Khammam .
:. Under 1 st phase of work programme, the temples at Ghanpur, Katakshapur, Ramanujapur, Jakaram and Bussapur 111 Warangal District were taken over by the Department(2008-09). The works are
111 progress .
:. Out of Rs. 96 lakhs, an amount of Rs. 45 lakhs was spent for the works .
:. An amount of Rs. 96.00 lakhs was released to the Archaeological Survey of India (2008-09) under Grant-in-Aid for conserving and restoring Group of Temples of Ramappa, Palampet in Warangal District. The works are in progress.
Projects:
Identification of 30 walled Towns of Andhras
.:. The Department has taken up a prestigious project for identifying the 30 walled towns of Andhras mentioned by Megasthanese, the Greek Ambassador, who visited India in 3rd century B.C. He mentioned in his book Indica, The Andhras were the powerful race, living in wellญfortified towns in Deccan.
It is a un-touched research area so far not taken up by any Archaeological/Historical research institutions in India.
.:. The Department basing on the reports of Megasthanese, explorations were conducted and identified towns of Andhras built during 4th - 3rd century B.C. such as Dhanyakataka- Amaravati in Guntur District, Dantapuram- in Srikakulam District, Kotilingala and Dhulikatta - in Karimnagar District and Kondapur - in Medak Distrct in Andhra Pradesh and Paithan and some other sites in Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka etc.
Publications:
.:. The Department has published books on vanous aspects of
Archaeology & Museology in the year 2008-09.
o Monograph on Phanigiri - Buddhist site in Nalgonda District.
o Buddhist Archaeology of Andhra Pradesh
o Mahatalavara Coins - a hoard from Phanigiri Excavations, Nalgonda District.
o Roman Gold Coins - from Penuganchiprolu, Krishna District.
o Rakshasa Gullu (Telugu).