In the recent years, a good number of Buddhist sites have been explored and excavated throughout length and breadth of the State. Excavations were conducted at

• Dantapuram
  The excavations were carried out in Dantapuram to prove that the site is of Buddhist nature. It is identified as Dhantavaktruni kota in the Buddhist literature. According to the Buddhist literature, a stupa was raised on both relic at this place. Excavations revealed four brick votive stupas. Associated with structures, good number of antiquities such as beads of Terracotta, semi precious stone beads, ornaments, stone objects like muller, quems and white stone, bone objects like stylus and comb. Various kinds of pottery includes dull red ware, red ware, red polished ware, black ware, black polished ware etc.
  It is interesting to note that occurrence of typical knobbed ware of greyish black, polished black, and red colours with prominent knob at the centre and with or without grooves, in the inner base. The prolific occurrence of this type along with N.B.P. ware was reported at Sisupalgarh in Orissa State which is very near, dated to 300 B.C. - 250 B.C. It is proved that people of the area had trade contacts with Orissa i.e. Kalinga desa. It is also possible to propagate Buddhism from North India to South India passing through Dantapuram on to Sri Lanka. Basing on the archaeological evidences, Buddhism is between the 3rd C.B.C. to 1st century A.D.
   

• Thotlakonda
   

• Bavikonda
   

  It lies at a distance of 16kms from the town of Visakhapatnam, along the beach road, leading to Bheemunipatnam. Excavations (1982-87) on the hilltop brought to light an extensive Buddhist establishment consisting of a Mahachaitya, embedded with relic caskets, large vihara complex, a number of votive stupas, a stone pillared congregation hall, rectangular halls, a refectory etc. In association with these structures were recovered, a Satavahana lead coin, three Roman silver coins, fragments of Brahmi label inscriptions, Buddhapada slabs decorated with asthamangala symbols and other early historic cultural milieu, datable from 3rd CBC to 3rd CAD. While attending to the conservation work of the Mahachaitya, five receptacles containing silver and gold caskets were recovered from the inner brick course of the anda, at diagonal points, exactly facing the ayaka platforms.
   

• Pavurallakonda
  
  
                                                                     Pavurallakonda or Pavurallabodu is the local name of a hill, popularly known as Narasimhaswamykonda, near Bhimili about 30 Km from Visakhapatnam. During the course of the exploration, nearly 14-16 rock-cut troughs or cisterns were found hewn into the bed rock. Near the entrance of the tank were found two Brahmi label inscriptions. Trial excavations in the habitation, revealed foundations of Viharas with cells and common verandah, circular chaitya grihas, votive stupas, halls etc. Associated with the structures were found two Satavahana coins, a Roman coin, inscribed pot sherds, besides black and red ware, black polished ware, beads etc. Basing on the above cultural material and epigraphical source, the site can be dated between 3rd CBC and 2nd CAD. A dislodged small empty copper casket, in two parts, i.e., the upper lid and the lower container, was recovered while exposing the votive stupa no. 1 situated near the tank.
   

• Gopalpatnam
  Excavations were taken up to expose brick built stupas, viharas, votive stupas which were noticed during the course of explorations. A stupa built on terraced platform was at this site, along with the structures, stucco figures, tiles, lajja Gouri figurine and male figures and terracotta beads and ware red, ware, knobbed ware, rouletted ware etc. and label inscription basing on the archaeological evidences, the site can be dated to a period between 1st CAD and 5th CAD.
   

• Erravaram, Adurru, Kesanapally
   

• Phanigiri
   

• Dharapalem
   

• Majeru
   

• Nelakondapalle (Khammam Dist.):
   A Buddhist site in Khammam district is an example of Ikshvakus -Vishnukundin times. The excavations brought to light a number of huge standing Buddha images, Vishnukundin coins, Vlharas, maha chaitya, votive stupas, terracotta figurines, early historic pottery and bronze image of Buddha. This site probably served as a link between coastal and Telangana areas for traders and also to Buddhist monks. Basing on the archaeological evidences, the date of the site is in between 3rd and 5th CAD.
   

• Peddabankur
   It is located in Peddapalli Taluk, Karimnagar district. It is an early historic habitation site. The excavations here revealed /exposed apsidal rubbled walled structures, brick structures, brick built and terracotta wolf etc. It also revealed punch marked coins, Roman and Satavahana coins; Iron objects include agricultural, carpentary and domestic implements, weapons such as spear heads, spikes, arrow heads etc., other antiquities include seals, beads and bangles, terracotta and Kayolin human figures, antimony rods, dice, coin moulds etc. The Ceramic Industry include red and black ware, red polished, dull red ware, black polished ware. The shape of pottery include storage jars, water vessels, carinated bowls, lid cum bowls, deep bowls, dishes, globular vessels, spherical bowls, lotas, pyriform vessels, ring stands etc.

  One terracotta seal is inscribed in Brahmi as'Mahatalavarasa Vajasamika Seva Sabha' A beautiful horse without trappings was stamped in the middle of the inscription. At the back of the seal, is an impression of head. The Brahmi characters are datable to 1st C.A.D.
   

• Gajulabanda
   

• Kotilingala
  
  This early historic site is located in Peddapalli Taluk of Karimnagar district. Excavations at the place exposed brick built wells, drains, granaries, apsidal houses with rubble foundations, early historic pottery, Brahmi label inscriptions, beads, a good number of punch marked coins, pre Satavahana and Satavahana coins. Other antiquities include dice, bangle pieces, moulds, beads of semi precious and terracottas, ivory combs, weights, shell bangles, terracotta figures etc.
   

• Dhulikatta
  It is located in Peddapalli Taluk of Karimnagar district. Excavations in this early historic site exposed brick built remains of gateways, Mahastupa, residential houses, wells, punch marked, Roman and Satavahana coins, beads, iron objects, dice, terracotta beads, ivory seals, bangle pieces, ivory combs, gold objects, measures, bronze figure of mother and child (Ankadhathri) etc.

  The pottery yielded from the site include dark- red ware, black and red ware, red ware, black polished ware, tan ware, pale red ware etc. Types of pottery include storage jars, jars, water vessels, carinated bowls, lid cum bowls, deep bowls, dishes, globular vessels, lotas, pyriform vessels etc.

  Dhulikatta excavation has yielded an exquisitely carved ivory seal in the shape of cup on a pedestal. It has a Brahmi inscription datable to 2nd CAD, which reads "Ajani Siriya Game Kumariya". In the middle of the inscription some numericals are inscribed which may indicate number seven.

  Another important find is the mother and child (Ankadhatri) casted in bronze/copper. The mother is seated on a pedestal with legs dangling. She holds a child in her left hand while the right hand rests on her knee. The figure may be dated to Circa 2nd C.B.C.
   

• Chandavaram
  
  

  Excavations conducted at Chandavaram exposed maha stupa built on terraced platform, apsidal chaityagriha votive stupas, drum slabs, Satavahana coins, Brahmi label inscriptions dated to 2nd CBC to 2nd CAD were recorded. The absence of Ayaka pillars at Chandavaram shows the existence of Hinayana form of Buddhism in the remote areas. The Chandavaram site lies on the route leading to South and served as trading centre. Another stupa nearby the site is Dupadu.
   

• Dupadu

• Nandalur