ASI: Gottiporlu-a historic trade centre

November 1, 2019 November 15, 2020

The Archaeological Survey of India has discovered the remains of huge settlement during its first phase of excavation at Gottiprolu near Naidupeta, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. It has uncovered a mass settlement that was surrounded by a massive brick enclosure

Highlights

The experts unearthed the Hindu god, Lord Vishnu sculptures and wide variety of pottery of early centuries of current era
The site lies on the bank of Swarnamukhi river
Drone images and topographical studies helped in identifying the settlement that is surrounded by a fortification. The fortification was evident in the southern and eastern sides while its other arm seems to have been leveled due to modern settlements

The Brick Enclosure

The massive brick enclosure is the outstanding discovery of the excavation. The bricks are baked and exposed to a length of more than 75 metres with average width of 3.4 metres. They rise to a height of 2 metres and run in a curvi linear pattern
The Archaeologists also discovered a rectangular brick tank exposed near the inner lining of the curved brick structure

Period of the excavations

The brick sizes are comparable with the Satavahan period structures in the River Krishna valley
Based on the brick sizes, the period of excavations are placed between 2nd and 1st century BC. They are around 2000 years old

Antiquities

A female terracotta figurine with two hands lifted upwards was also retrieved.
Interesting pottery were also found. There were conical jars that are widely distributed in Tamil Nadu and are considered to be imitated variety of Roman Amphorae jars.
A series of broken terracotta pipes fitted into one another were also revealed. It proves that the period had a good drainage system.

Trade Centre

The presence of these jars prove that it was an important trade centre of the period. Also it implies that liquid commodities were transported as amphorae wares are often used to carry liquid items. Also, the site’s proximity with the sea coast suggests that it could have serves as a strategic settlement involved in maritime trade.