ASI finds remains of a 2000-year-old trade centre in Andhra Pradesh

During the first phase of excavation at Gottiprolu near Naidupeta in Nellore (now renamed as Sri Potti Sri Ramulu) district in Andhra Pradesh, a team of Archaeological Survey of India’s Excavation Branch – VI, Bangalore has discovered the remains of a huge settlement surrounded by a massive brick enclosure. 

The team also unearthed other antiquities, including a life size Vishnu sculpture and a wide variety of pottery of the early centuries of current era.

The site of Gottiprolu (13° 56’ 48” N; 79° 59’ 14” E) lies on the right bank of a distributary of river Swarnamukhi, about 17 kilometres east of Naidupet and 80 kilometres from Tirupati and Nellore. Detailed topographical study and drone images have helped in identifying an early historic settlement surrounded by a fortification and the possibility of a moat encircling it. The fortification is very much clear on the eastern and southern sides of the mound while its other arm seems to have been levelled as a result of modern settlements.

Drone image of Gottiprolu village                      

Drone view of excavated area

The excavation revealed the presence of brick-built structures in different sizes and forms.

Elliptical brick structure - view from east     

Elliptical brick structure - view from north

Continuation of elliptical brick structure  

View from the NW with terracotta pipes

View from west

The excavations carried out in the already levelled area revealed elliptical, circular and rectangular brick structures.

The most outstanding discovery is of massive sized brick enclosure wall at the southern part of the mound. This structure is of baked bricks and exposed to a length of more than 75 meters with an average width of about 3.40 meters, which rise to a height of nearly 2 meters and runs in a curvilinear pattern towards the northern end of the mound.  

Massive brick structure - view from north                               

Massive brick structure - view from east

Another interesting find is the small rectangular brick tank exposed near the inner lining of the curved brick structure.

Circular brick structure

Rectangular brick tank

The available brick sizes (43-48 cms) are comparable with the Satavahana / Ikshvaku period structures in Krishna valley, ie, Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. On the basis of the brick size and associated findings they can be placed anywhere between 2nd – 1st century BCE or a little later (nearly 2000 years old).

Apart from the excavated remains, one of the most important finds was the discovery of a buried Vishnu sculpture from the western part of the village.

During exposal of stone Vishnu idol

Stone Vishnu Idol - after exposure

Subsequent excavations conducted around the image revealed it to be a life size image of Vishnu measuring about 2 meters in height. It displays a four-armed Vishnu standing over a pedestal carrying chakra and conch in his upper right and left hands respectively. The lower right is in bestowing boon and the left hand in katihastha (resting on the hip) posture. The iconographical feature like the elaborate head gear, thick holy thread and decorative drapery dates it to Pallava period (circa 8th century CE).

Another interesting antiquity retrieved is the moulded female terracotta figurine with two hands lifted upwards.

Terracotta female figurine

Interesting pottery finds are the base of conical jars placed at the eastern side of the structure. Such conical jars are widely distributed in Tamil Nadu and considered to be imitated variety of Roman Amphorae jars.

Insitu pot and conical jar                                                              

Lower portion of conical jars

A series of broken terracotta pipes fitted into one another revealed about the civic amenities maintained by the occupants of this site. The drainage system pattern is understood by the exposed remains of the drainage at the site.

Conical shaped terracotta pipes for drainage purpose

The findings of assorted stone tools of Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods from secondary contexts suggest that prehistoric people also occupied this area. Further studies are being carried out through geological, chemical analysis of the site/samples.

Stone celt

Stone tools                               

These settlements could have been an important trade centre as indicated by the presence of imitated amphorae wares that were mostly used to transport liquid commodities. 

Globular pot 

Carinated vessel                          

Footed vessels - red slipped ware

The proximity of the site to the seacoast suggests that the site could have served as a strategic settlement involved in maritime trade. Further research will reveal interesting facts about the site as trade centre.

Other major antiquities unearthed are copper and lead coins, iron spear head, stone celts, terracotta beads, ear stud in semi precious stone and hopscotches. The ceramic assemblage of the site consisted of fine quality black and red ware collected from the lower levels, conical jars, rouletted sherds, russet coated ware etc. The extensively used goblet shaped ware indicates the typical table ware associated with the site.  

Ear stud & bead                                     

Sherds of rouletted ware

Terracotta grooved tiles                         

Explorations conducted in and around Gottiprolu within a radius of 15 kilometers revealed important vestiges, viz, fortified early historic settlement at Puduru, Sunbrahmanya temple at Mallam, unique rock cut laterite stepped well at Yakasiri and Vishnu temple at Tirumuru. Further, the entire seacoast on the east is dotted with various forms of antiquarian remains extending from Tamil Nadu and culturally linked with each other.

The two fortified townships within the gap of 15 km during early historic times indicates the significant strategic location was preferred by the early historic people for trade in the region keeping in view of proximity of the sea, river and lake (Pulicat).