2000-year-old brick structures, Vishnu sculpture unearthed in Andhra Pradesh

The first phase of excavation by a team of Archaeological Survey of India’s Excavation Branch – VI, Bangalore at Gottiprolu near Naidupeta in Nellore (now renamed as Sri Potti Sri Ramulu) district has discovered the remains of a huge settlement surrounded by a massive brick enclosure. Among many other antiquities unearthed are one life size Vishnu sculpture and a wide variety of pottery of the early centuries of current era.

One of the most major find was the discovery of a buried Vishnu sculpture from the western part of the village.
Subsequent excavations conducted around the image revealed it to be a life size image of Vishnu
measuring about 2 meters in height [Credit: ASI]

The site of Gottiprolu lies on the right bank of a distributary of river Swarnamukhi about seventeen kilometers east of Naidupet and eighty kilometers from Tirupati and Nellore.

Detailed topographical study and drone images have helped in identifying an early historic settlement surrounded by a fortification and the possibility of a moat encircling it. The fortification is very much clear on the eastern and southern side of the mound while its other arm seem to have been leveled as a result of modern settlements.

The image displays a 4-armed Vishnu standing over a pedestal carrying chakra and conch
 in his upper right and left hands. The lower right is in bestowing boon and the left hand
in katihastha (resting on the hip) posture. The iconographical feature like the elaborate
head gear, thick holy thread and decorative drapery dates the Vishnu idol
 to Pallava period (circa 8th cent. CE) [Credit: ASI]

The excavations carried out in the already levelled area revealed elliptical, circular and rectangular brick-built structures.

The most outstanding discovery is of massive sized brick enclosure wall at the southern part of the mound. This structure is of baked bricks and exposed to a length of more than 75 meters with an average width of about 3.40 meters, which rise to a height of nearly 2 meters and runs in a curvilinear pattern towards the northern end of the mound.

Other interesting antiquity retrieved is the moulded female terracotta figurine
with two hands lifted upwards [Credit: ASI]

Another interesting find is the small rectangular brick tank exposed near the inner lining of the curved brick structure.

The available brick sizes (43 - 48 cms) are comparable with the Satavahana / Ikshvaku period structures in Krishna valley i.e. Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. On the basis of the brick size and associated findings they can be placed anywhere between 2nd – 1st century BCE or little later (nearly 2000 years old).

Elliptical brick structure - View from East [Credit: ASI]

Elliptical brick structure - View from North [Credit: ASI]

Continuation of Elliptical brick structure View from the North West [Credit: ASI]

Apart from the excavated remains, one of the most major find was the discovery of a buried Vishnu sculpture from the western part of the village.

Subsequent excavations conducted around the image revealed it to be a life size image of Vishnu measuring about 2 meters in height. It displays a four-armed Vishnu standing over a pedestal carrying chakra and conch in his upper right and left hands respectively. The lower right is in bestowing boon and the left hand in katihastha (resting on the hip) posture. The iconographical feature like the elaborate head gear, thick holy thread and decorative drapery dates it to Pallava period (c. 8th cent. CE).

Massive Brick Structure - view from North [Credit: ASI]

Massive Brick Structure - view from North [Credit: ASI]

Another interesting find is the small rectangular brick tank exposed near
the inner lining of the curved brick structure [Credit: ASI]

Other interesting antiquity retrieved is the moulded female terracotta figurine with two hands lifted upwards.

Interesting pottery finds are the base of conical jars placed at the eastern side of the structure. Such conical jars are widely distributed in Tamil Nadu and considered to be imitated variety of Roman Amphorae jars.

Interesting pottery finds are the base of conical jars placed at the eastern side of the structure.
Such conical jars are widely distributed in Tamil Nadu and considered to be imitated
variety of Roman Amphorae jars [Credit: ASI]

A series of broken terracotta pipes fitted into one another revealed about the civic amenities maintained
by the occupants of this site. The drainage system pattern is understood by the exposed remains
of the drainage at the site [Credit: ASI]

A series of broken terracotta pipes fitted into one another revealed about the civic amenities maintained by the occupants of this site. The drainage system pattern is understood by the exposed remains of the drainage at the site.

The findings of assorted stone tools of Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods from secondary contexts suggest that prehistoric people also occupied this area. Further studies are being carried out through geological, chemical analysis of the site/samples.

These settlements could have been an important trade centre as indicated by the presence of imitated amphorae wares
like this globular-shaped pot that were mostly used to transport liquid commodities [Credit: ASI]

Carinated vessel [Credit: ASI]

These settlements could have been an important trade centre as indicated by the presence of imitated amphorae wares that were mostly used to transport liquid commodities.

The proximity of the site to the seacoast suggests that the site could have served as a strategic settlement involved in maritime trade. Further research will reveal interesting facts about the site as trade centre.

The findings of assorted stone tools of Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods from secondary contexts suggest that
prehistoric people also occupied this area. Further studies are being carried out through geological,
 chemical analysis of the site/samples [Credit: ASI]

Other major retrieved antiquities unearthed are copper and lead coins, iron spear head, stone celts, terracotta beads, ear stud in semi precious stone and hopscotches. The ceramic assemblage of the site consisted of fine quality black and red ware collected from the lower levels, conical jars, rouletted sherds, russet coated ware etc. The extensively used goblet shaped ware indicates the typical table ware associated with the site.

Explorations conducted in and around Gottiprolu within a radius of 15 kilometers revealed important vestiges viz., fortified early historic settlement at Puduru, Sunbrahmanya temple at Mallam, unique rock cut laterite stepped well at Yakasiri, Vishnu temple at Tirumuru. Further the entire seacoast on the east is dotted with various forms of antiquarian remains extending from Tamil Nadu and culturally linked with each other.

Drone view of excavated area [Credit: ASI]

The two fortified townships within the gap of 15kms during early historic times indicates the significant strategic location was preferred by the early historic people for trade in the region keeping in view of proximity of the sea, River and Lake (Pulicat).

Source: Archaeological Survey of India [October 31, 2019]