Documentation of archeological sites in Panchkhal delayed due to COVID-19

It has been already four months since the Department of Archeology worked out on the geophysical survey of archeological sites based in the Panchkhal Municipality.

The Department had worked for the project in collaboration with an expert team from the UK and the survey suggested the high potentiality of historic archeological features at Panchkhal- and its surroundings.

The survey facilitated by the expert team from the UK's Durham University covered the surroundings of the area like Simali, Basuki Sthan, Maltar, Kankeshwor Mahadev Temple, and Kankeshwor Health Post areas and Bhamarkot of ward no 6.

According to archeological officer Bishnu Pathak who was also part of the survey project, the study suggests the huge potentiality of historic heritages of archeological importance and the detailed report would come once the data analyzing works get complete.

Though it was said the detailed report after three months of the completion of the survey, the Department is waiting for the document. Department's Damodar Gautam said, "We have been waiting for the detailed document from the expert team and it might have been delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic." The geophysical survey has been conducted in other parts of the country as well, it is said.

None of the reports of any surveyed place has been received so far, he said. The team had surveyed at Panchkhal for a week.

Director Gautam shared it is seen that more excavations needed to be done at Panchkhal once the report is received.

He said, "We have kept Panchkhal in priority." A geophysical survey was carried out at Panchkhal through British Survey's machine and drone camera.

Earlier, the Department has already on June 29, 2020, informed UNSECO about the heritages of Panchkhal. The eight-member expert team of Durham University in London had arrived in Nepal in the first week of March to carry out a survey of heritages of different places of the country.

The team was called from London as it was necessary to conduct a geophysical survey as heritages goods and pillars found during excavations at some places of the country are Lichchhavi and medieval historical heritages.

The team had completed survey activities at different places in six districts of the country.

The survey machine finds out the subterranean situation up to a depth of seven metres from the surface under the heritage site.

The Department has stated that it has carried out the geophysical survey after it was confirmed that the archaeological findings made in course of the excavation and search conducted about two years back in the Panchkhal area belonged to the Lichchhavi era and the medieval era of Nepal.

Some artifacts like bricks, water pipelines, and wall columns were found in course of the excavation.

The District Administration Office, Kavrepalanchok has been guarding the archeological site in Panchkhal after the discovery of ancient heritages and artifacts in the area.

Panchkhal Municipality's mayor Mahesh Kharel said the municipality is effortful in the conservation of the heritage site.

"The Municipality will prepare the master plan after the survey detailed report is available," he said.