Archaeologists from the Department of Archaeology have unearthed an earthen pot containing a hoard of 3,730 lead coins at the Buddhist site of Phanigiri, situated in Suryapet district, India.
The coins, bearing an elephant symbol on one side and the Ujjain symbol on the other, are believed to date back to the Ikshvaku dynasty period, which spanned between the 3rd and 4th centuries CE. The elephant symbol is a common motif in Indian iconography, and the Ujjain symbol is characterized by a cross connecting four circles.
The excavation, led by N Sagar and co-excavator B Mallu, revealed the earthen pot buried at a depth of two feet. The pot, measuring 16.7 cm in diameter and 15 cm in height, is a significant find in itself.
Phanigiri, a Buddhist site located approximately 110 km from Hyderabad, has long been recognized as a center of cultural and historical importance. The site, known for its strategic location on the ancient trade route connecting the west and east coast of the Deccan, has been a subject of archaeological exploration since 2001.
Principal Secretary Sailaja Ramaiyer and the department’s director Bharathi Hollikeri, after visiting the site, affirmed the significance of the discovery, attributing it to the Ikshvaku period. Alongside the coins, various other artifacts were unearthed during the excavation, including stone and glass beads, shell bangle fragments, stucco motifs, broken limestone sculptures, a child’s toy cart wheel, iron nails, and pottery.
The findings at Phanigiri underscore the depth of ancient civilizations that thrived in the region. Phanigiri village itself derives its name from the shape of the hillock it occupies, resembling a snake hood—an apt metaphor for the richness of historical treasures hidden beneath its surface. The village has thrived from 1000 BCE until the 18th century CE.
The artifacts discovered at Phanigiri are not only of local importance but also hold global significance. Many of these excavated artifacts have found their way to prestigious institutions such as the New York Metropolitan Museum.
