Ramgram: Newly found human skeleton adds attraction

Parasi, Feb. 5 (RSS): The Ramgram Stupa, a historical and religious site in Lumbini, which houses the Astadhatu (the relics) of Lord Gautam Buddha, should be developed into a tourist site.

The otherwise unknown Ramgram Stupa came to light after the excavation recently of a human skeleton by archaeologist Shukra Sagar Shrestha of the Department of Archaeology was publicised in the mass media.

Ever since the finding of the human skeleton from the ruins surrounding the Stupa was publicised, there has been a steady flow of people there to look at the skeleton to the extent that it has hampered the exacavation works still going on there, according to archaeologist Shrestha.

He said the excavation work would be continued by covering the skeleton with a special protective cover.

A terracota monastry complex dating back to the Maurya Dynasty and the Huen Tsang dynasty was traced during the excavation around the Ramgram Stupa.

About the human skeleton unearthed during the archaeological excavation, Mr. Shrestha said that on the basis of the 32 teeth intact on the skeleton is believed to be the skeleton was of a person more than 38 years of age.

He said whether the skeleton was from the Buddha’s time or from the time of Huen Tsang would be determined later. He said the skeleton should be sent abroad for dating.

Vice-chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust Omkar Prasad Gauchan, chief district officer Bishnu Raj Kusum, DDC vice-chairman Chintamani Pokharel, journalist Laxmi Prasad Poudel, Devi Subedi of the Nepali Congress and others who were present at the site of the excavation said that the historical artifacts excavated from the Ramgram Stupa periphery have established the historical and archaeological importance of the place.

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