Other Archaeological Sites and Conclusion

In additions to the above mentioned archaeological sites innumerable other sites like Penumaka, Pidugurala, Velpuru, Mangalagiri, Mogulrajapuram, Uṇḍavalli, (PL 12d) Kanuparti, Polampalli, Malkapuram, Renṭala, Peḍḍamadur, Eraiyur, Mulpuru, Koṇḍamudi, Manduru, Moraguru, Kuvam, Chandoru, Kondamudi, Bauddhavanam, Manchikallu, Samadhanapuram, Madugula, Vidyadharapuram, Mallipadu, Gunṇḍala, Koṭṭakalluru, Dharapalem, Paradesipalem, Amalapuram, Addanki, Muppala, Longagudipadu, Juvelladinne, Uchuru, Tutigunta, Edithanur, Kohir, Remmannagudem, Geesukonda, Mujjugudem, Bodhan, Burugupalli, Pulimamidi, Lingamapalli, Urukoṇḍa, Gaddameda, Budagavi, Gulapalem, Budigaddapalli, Timmasamudram, Budidagaḍḍa, Toṇḍamanadu, Enugugavi, Tallapaka may be mentioned.

From the archaeological data it can be pointed out that nearly a quarter of the total sites of the region are coastal plain localities. Among these a good number are religious settlements. The fertile alluvial plains of the region probably gave an impetus for the growth of settlements as its agriculture based economy had reached its zenith. However, the urban centres of Early Historical period is preceded by megalithic and early Iron Age culture which emerges either in an overlap situation with Chalcolithic or immediately succeeding it. Thus iron is discovered in both megalithic burial and habitational areas at important settlements with urban characters. The Amarāvatī-Dharaṇikoṭa complex, Jaggayyapeṭa, Ghaṇṭaśālā, Bhaṭṭiprolu, Nāgārjunakoṇḍa, Sālihuṇḍam, Vaddamānu, Yeleśvaram etc reveal some valuable urban monumental remains. Most of these sites bear proof of beautiful Buddhist art and architecture in the form of stūpa and vihāra construction in the region. The plastic creativity of early Andhradeśa reached its height at Amarāvatī. In comparison to other adjacent contemporary sites, the plastic pliability and linearism is more evident at Amarāvatī. The love for ornamentation and execution of minor details found a better treatment at Amarāvatī. The plastic advancement of Amarāvatī Art may be attributed to the strategic importance of the place which probably attracted the best craftsmen to region. In this regard it may be added that Amarāvatī (ancient Dhānyakaṭaka/Dharaṇikoṭa) acted as a chief political, religious and cultural centre of early Andhradeśa. Along with Amarāvatī, Nāgārjunakoṇḍa and several other sites of coastal Andhra became an important urban art centre. These urban centres were vibrant politically, economically and culturally. Hence it can be suggested that the early sites of coastal Andhra of which Amarāvatī figured prominently became the hub of Andhra culture which helped in the cultural efflorescence of early Andhra region. In this development the art of Amarāvatī displayed in its religious establishment had no less role to play.