Location
The village Peddabankur lies on the left bank of the rivulet Peddavagu in Peddapalli mandal of Karimnagar district. It is about 40 kms north of Karimnagar.
Description
Excavations conducted during 1970-76 and 1983 exposed various exposed brick structures, elliptical rubble structures and wells, with underground drains, dating to 200 B.C -200 A.D.
The artefacts excavated include terracotta pottery, iron and copper objects, seals, beads, and bangles. Various Silver
Punch marked, Roman and Satavahana coins were also found at the site, along with evidence for the forging of iron.
A stupa was found at the site, which is said to date to the 3rd Century BC, as an inscription from the 2nd Century BC was found, recording the veneering of the existing stupa.
Roman coins and a terracotta figure of a Roman trader have been recovered, suggesting trade with the Roman Empire. There is no direct evidence of a monastery but a site of this size needed monks for the regular rituals. From the absence of the Buddha in reliefs it seems to be a Theravada site.
Existing Condition
The excavated artefacts of the site are located at the Centenary Heritage Museum, Hyderabad.
References
Centenary Heritage Museum, Department of Heritage, Telangana
Archive
Contributors
NIUM