THE Amarapura-era alms-bowl, tray and vase made of sandstone were discovered during the excavation of the ancient tooth-relic building in Inwa, and are preserved in the Inwa Museum, according to author and researcher Bo Shake.
In order to restore the building to its original state, the archaeological department supervised the excavation work, during which these artefacts from King Bagyitaw's time were found.
"During the process of excavation, sandstone alms bowl, tray and vase were found at the foot of the south-eastern wall. In ancient times, they provided offerings at that place. So, we plan to put them in the original place where they were found. At present, they are temporarily kept in the Inwa Museum," he said.
The materials found will help a lot with renovation work as good examples, he added. In the first week of September, the excavation team also uncovered a marble sphinx sculpted during the reign of King Bagyidaw, and it is also preserved in the museum.
The excavation work is currently about two-thirds complete, and the marble sphinx and sandstone artefacts have been found so far, and it is hoped that the remaining sphinxes will be found later, he said. — MT/ZN
