ASI finds 2,000-year-old trade center in Andhra Pradesh

The ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) recently discovered that the present-day state of Andhra Pradesh had a maritime center near the banks of Swarnamukhi river around 2,000 years ago.

Highlights

• The excavations were performed at the state’s Gottiprolu that began in December, 2018.
• The ASI unearthed brick-built structures in varied shapes. The sizes of the bricks were common in the Satavahana/Ikshvaku period of the Krishna valley.
• Also, the team unearthed four armed sculptures of Lord Vishnu. The sculpture belongs to Pallava period according to the analysis of headgear and drapery.
• Also, a series of broken terracotta pipes were found. This suggests that the period had a good system of drainage.
• So far, the ASI has excavated about 10% of the site in the first round. The second round is set to begin in November or December, 2019.

Swarnamukhi river

• The river is located in southern India
• The Kalyani Dam is constructed across the river at Tirupati city. The shrines Tirupati and Kalahasti are located in the banks of the river.