Dhulikatta

The early historic habitation site covers an area of nearly of 18 hectares, and is enclosed by a mud fortification with 4 gateways in cardinal directions. At the southern gateway, an  exposed brick built bastion with guard rooms was found.

Adjacent to the fort, is a Mahastupa. The dome was built by using forty-seven blocks of limestone, which were adorned with symbols of ‘Muchalidanaga’, (serpents). The drum portion of the structure contains sculptural panels, carved in limestone. The sculptural art can be compared with the first phase of Amaravathi School of Art, which dates back to 2nd C.B.C- 2nd C.A.D.

Further excavations within the fortification exposed rooms built with brick masonry, wells, pits and early historic cultural material such as black and red pottery, seals, beads and bangles, Brahmi inscriptions, etc. A statue of a mother holding her child in her left hand, made of bronze and the symbol of the footprints of the Buddha were also found preserved here.

Various coins were found during this excavation. One of the significant finds was the portrait coin of the king Pulamavi. Other coins found were Silver Punch Marked, Roman and Satavahana coins. These findings suggest trade with the Roman Empire.