Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology
by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri | 2018 | 90,477 words
This page relates ‘Region Beyond The Coastal Lines (2): Nelakondapalli’ of the study on Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology, including museum exhibitions of the major archeological antiquities. These pages show how the Buddhist establishment of Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) survived from 4th century BCE to 14th century CE. It includes references and translations of episodes of Buddha’s life drawn from the Avadanas and Jatakas which are illustrated in Amaravati art.
Region Beyond The Coastal Lines (2): Nelakoṇḍapalli
Nelakoṇḍapalli was a famous Buddhist site 20 kms away from Khamman. This site was in habitation from Neolithic period to Viṣṇukuṇḍin period. Excavations in the region unearthed a Mahāstūpa. The dome of the Mahāstūpa consists of a circular centre with radiating walls. It has a circumambulatory passage and rectangular āyaka platform[1]. In addition to it two monastic establishment and secular structures are found. These are generally datable to c 3rd century C.E. 6th century C.E. Excavations have also brought to light two cultural layers-Ikṣvāku and Visnukuṇḍin phase.
A number of terracotta figurines, stone plaques, beads, semi precious stones, bangles, lead and copper coins of Ikṣvākus and Visnukuṇḍins are also recorded from the site. The potteries include Black and Red Ware, Red Ware, Black Ware, miniature pots etc.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ramalakshman, A (ed), 2002, ‘Excavation 1988-89’, Op. cit, p 29.