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Statue dating back to 1400 years found in Kashmir

Measuring 5.5 ft in length and 15 inches in width, the rare memorial stone slab was discovered during an excavation undertaken at Kunan village to remove the debris from the local playing ground.

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Archaeologists have discovered a rare statue dating back to the Karkota era (600 AD- 800 AD) from a play field in Kunan village of Bandipora district in North Kashmir.

Measuring 5.5 ft in length and 15 inches in width, the rare memorial stone slab was discovered during an excavation undertaken at Kunan village to remove the debris from the local playing ground.

The archaeological find was first taken over by the local police station. Later on the instructions of deputy commissioner Bandipora, the directorate of Archives Archaeology and Museums was informed about this this.

A team of the archaeological experts was immediately rushed to the site to swiftly investigate the find and take over the possession of the artifact. The archaeological artifact was then lifted to SPS Museum Srinagar, where a team of archaeological experts have been investigating the find.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the sculpture probably dates back to the 1400-year-old Karkota era (600 AD-800). "This archaeological find is under study and when its investigation is completed, the department will display it for the general public in the museum," said Mohammad Shafi Zahid, director, department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums Jammu and Kashmir.

The sculpture is a first find of its kind when such a motif has made its appearance in such a magnificent way. The face of the memorial stone is in three panels depicting few crude human and animal images.

"The central panel carries an interesting image of a standing turban headed human figure holding bow and arrow to its left while the motif of dragger fixed on his waist towards its left," said Zahid.

Director of Archives, Archaeology and Museums noted that though the archaeology department has made several discoveries of the memorial stones so far, the discovery at Bandipora is interesting.

"We have been doing the exploration work for long. We have made several discoveries right in the field of archaeology tiles and others. But it is for the first time we have got this memorial which has different motifs. It has beautiful carvings on the stone," said Zahid.

The department has pressed several experts on the job to unravel the mystery behind this motif. Experts are trying to study the life and nature of the people living in those times when such memorial was built. "Details are under research. It is a Kashmiri stone memorial," said Zahid.

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