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EXCAVATION AT KHAURAHO, DISTT. CHHATARPUR

Stone architectural fragments were noticed in heaps at the four corners of the platform and one heap in the centre. Thus, it can be concluded that the temple might have been panchayatana, though no complete structure was found. The heaps included decorated/plain stone architectural fragments, pedestals of images etc. A chandrasila was also found in disturbed position.

The brick platform was found extending on the northern side. It was rectangular in shape. During excavation it was observed that the whole platform was built with brick and mud mortar and no filling was used for this purpose. It was reinforced by clay filling.

The most important discovery was the remains of a subsidiary shrine dedicated to Mahisasuramardini on the western slope of the mound.

Among the important antiquities unearthed mention may be made of Vamana figure, a door-jamb bearing Yamuna figure, decorated pillars with floral designs and ghatapallava motifs, a female figure with folded hands, Mahisasuramardini figure in relief. Apart from these many other antiquities including images, pedestals, decorated pillars, chandrasila, etc. were also unearthed.

In the year 1986-87 excavation confirmed that the stone structure discovered in this season and in the previous season belonged to Pratihara period. The brick structure has superimposition of Period I, II and III. The excavation revealed a brick structure in the eastern opening. The general measurement of the bricks were 40 X 25 X 8 cm. Another interesting find was lime coated pilasters on the upper northern wall of this trench.

The brick platform was rectangular in shape and had been altered and disturbed at places. The important finds of the late level of period II consist of beads, terracotta pendants, figurines possibly of bull, gamesman, discs, pierced and unpierced, spools and stone beads. The iron objects found from KJH-II included twenty -six shapeless and indeterminate lumps, tanged arrowheads, fragmentary blade of dagger, leaf-shaped spearhead, nail and fragmentary bangle of roundish section.

In the year 1988-89 excavation revealed a big damaged brick plinth of the temple having compound built of stone and bricks. Close to this platform, another small platform and a small temple shrine made of bricks were exposed, which probably were a later addition. The second brick platform was built to give support to the former brick plinth. At the eastern side of the mound, a much damaged brick (measuring 34 X 20 X 5 cm) wall, about 10 m in length and 1.10 m in height and a ruined miniature shrine of granite on top of the mound were also exposed. To the north of the plinth within the compound traces of brick bat floor were also exposed.

Ceramics were represented by red ware and black ware. The antiquities included terracotta beads and animal figurines; iron objects; copper ring, architectural fragments like makara-pranala, etc. Some of the architectural fragments, having masons marks were also noticed. A sandstone head of Vishnu decorated with kirttimukha, datable to the Chandela period, was an interesting find.

On the basis of the archaeological remains, the establishment at the site was divided into two periods:

  • Period I, Post-Gupta or Pratihara, and
  • Period II, Chandela.