For nearly 70 years, 22 boxes containing material excavated from one of Varanasi’s most important archaeological sites lay unopened at Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
When the university finally opened them on August 20, it found more than 10,000 artefacts — including painted black pottery believed to be nearly 3,000 years old — along with thousands of photographs documenting archaeological sites and sculptures across India.
These were excavated from Rajghat in 1957, documented, and handed over to the museum of BHU’s Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology (AIHC).
According to Professor Mahesh Prasad Ahirwar, head of the department, the boxes contain sculptures, ancient coins, tools, stamp seals and objects made of copper, ivory and bone. He said three specialised research teams have been formed to conserve and document the material.
The 10,000 artefacts include sculptures, ancient coins, tools, stamp seals and objects made of copper, ivory and bone. (Image: BHU)
A trove of history
Among the finds are several seals bearing inscriptions, including some written in the Brahmi script, Professor Ahirwar said.
An ivory die and other artefacts. (Special Arrangement)
He said researchers specialising in epigraphy at BHU will study them, while experts from other universities may be consulted where specialised expertise is required.
This, the professor said, can help researchers understand the scripts, systems of governance, trade and economic systems of the periods in which they were used.
The boxes contain another important discovery: around 3,000 glass slides and more than 5,000 photographic negatives documenting archaeological sites across India — Rajghat, Manjhi, Ratnagiri, Ajanta and Ellora.
The photographs offer a record of these sites before decades of weathering, restoration and modern development changed some of them. They also include rare images of idols of Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Buddha.
These are being examined and will be restored as part of the department’s conservation work.
Preserving the finds
Ahirwar said the trunks were found in an advanced state of deterioration, making the recovery and preservation of the material inside particularly significant.
Pieces of carved earthenware vessels and perforated pottery. (Special Arrangement)
BHU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi said in a statement that “these boxes contain artefacts and objects that carry significant historical and heritage value… They were excavated at a time when advanced scientific techniques for archaeological research were not available in India.”
He said scholars and excavators from the Department of AIHC understood the “potential of this archaeological treasure and preserved these materials for future research”.
He further stated, “The Department of AIHC has now taken the initiative to undertake advanced research on its archaeological collections, creating new opportunities for scholars to reassess historical chronologies and uncover new insights into ancient Indian civilisation. The opening of these boxes is an important part of this endeavour.”
Why is Rajghat important?
Rajghat, located on the north-eastern edge of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganga and Varuna rivers, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the middle Ganga Valley.
According to Dr Subhash Chandra Yadav, Regional Archaeological Officer with the Uttar Pradesh State Archaeology Department, the area was part of ancient Varanasi, which served as the capital of the Kashi kingdom, also known as the Kashi Mahajanpad.
A shard from a ritual vessel adorned with sacred Buddhist symbols, including the Dharma and Triratna. (Special Arrangement)
“Rajghat was an important settlement in the ancient Varanasi region. During excavations, seals and sealings bearing the name ‘Varanasi’ were found. These findings helped establish the site’s connection with ancient Varanasi,” he said
He said the first archaeological remains at the site were discovered in 1939 during the expansion of the Kashi railway station and were subsequently sent to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for examination.
Excavations were carried out jointly by the ASI and BHU between 1957 and 1969, under the supervision of BHU Professor A K Narain and archaeologist T N Roy.
The excavations unearthed remains of ancient settlements, including structures believed to be houses, terracotta objects, seals and several other artefacts.
Animal figurines were part of the artefacts found. (Special Arrangement)
These findings helped researchers trace the development of human settlement at Rajghat over several centuries. Archaeologists have divided the history of the site into six cultural periods, beginning around 800 BC and continuing up to the medieval period.
Professor Narain had documented the excavations in four volumes, but a large part of the material recovered was not studied in detail.
Another Rajghat discovery opened this month
The reopening of the 22 boxes comes weeks after another piece of Rajghat’s archaeological record was brought out after decades.
Earlier this month, experts opened a box containing a human skeleton recovered from the same site and which had remained sealed for around 70 years. A team specialising in ancient DNA collected samples from the skeleton for genetic and bio-archaeological analysis.
Experts hope the analysis will provide clues about the people who lived in Varanasi around 1,000 years ago.
A storage jar from the Gupta period (left) excavated from the Rajghat site. (BHU) 
The 10,000 artefacts include sculptures, ancient coins, tools, stamp seals and objects made of copper, ivory and bone. (Image: BHU)
An ivory die and other artefacts. (Special Arrangement)
Pieces of carved earthenware vessels and perforated pottery. (Special Arrangement)
A shard from a ritual vessel adorned with sacred Buddhist symbols, including the Dharma and Triratna. (Special Arrangement)
Animal figurines were part of the artefacts found. (Special Arrangement)
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