1,200-year-old Buddhist monastery found at Ratnagiri Buddhist site

Why in the news?

• Archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have found a 1,200-year-old Buddhist monastery at the Ratnagiri Buddhist site in Odisha's Jajpur district.

About the excavation:

• The excavation began in December 2024.
• It was led by ASI Deputy Superintendent Prajnaprati Pradhan.
• It aims to find out more about the history and cultural influence of Buddhism in Odisha.

What was found in the excavation?

• During the excavation, the ASI unearthed a huge Buddhist monastery complex.
• Several stone statues of Lord Buddha have been found in the monastery complex.
• Votive stupas, engraved stones, pottery, beads and stone pillars have also been found.
• A notable discovery is a huge, five-foot-tall monolithic elephant statue.
• Fragments of a colossal Buddha head and statues of Buddhist deities have also been found.

History of Ratnagiri Buddhist Site:

• Excavations here reveal that the site was a major Buddhist center from the 6th to the 13th centuries.
• It was first documented by Manmohan Chakravarti in 1905.
• Its decline began in the 13th century due to invasions by Muslim rulers.
• The site is located between the Brahmani and Birupa rivers.
• It was called the "Hill of Jewels" in ancient times.