A number of antiquities, including old stones, two wooden boats and other archaeological objects, have been lying uncared for at the Rock Museum on the Panchagarh Women’s College premises.
Former principal of the college Prof Nazmul Haque established the museum in 1997 with the help of some colleagues with a view to preserving the ancient stones and other antiquities collected from the district on the Himalayan Basin.
Prof Nazmul said he has sent several letters to the ministry concerned, requesting it to declare the museum as a protected site and ensure its maintenance.
However, the government has not yet taken any initiative in this regard.
One of the wooden boats is more than 35 feet long and was found during the digging of the Karotoa River near Amtola village of the district. According to the display board near the boat, ethnic people living in some islands in the Pacific Ocean used this kind of boats.
The other boat, which is 25 feet long, was found during the digging of the Chawain River in Amorkhana village.
It is not possible now to ascertain the exact age of the boats as they have been lying in the open since long, but it is presumed that the boats were built around 300-1,000 years ago, Prof Nazmul said.
A huge number of clay pots from 600-700 AD have been kept in a small room in the college without much care, he added.
The display also includes stones containing Chinese inscriptions having similarity with Nepalese and old Bangla letters, he said, adding that there is a decorated bamboo hedge made in 1922, which is still in good condition but needs preservation measures.
A few ancient iron clamps were found in the district, which were probably used to hold stones together for construction of bridges.
Prof Nazmul said there are a few decorated bricks dating back to the Mughal dynasty and old coins, which are ruining for lack of proper maintenance.
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh News, News
