________________ The Archaeological Personality of Vaisali 459 The main objectives of this excavation were (i) to determine the base of the pillar, (ii) to find out the relationship between the pillar and the brick stupa lying north of it, and (iii) to get a cultural sequence of the site. Limited excavation near the lion pillar yielded the base of the pillar resting on a sandstone slab at the depth of 5.50 m from the present ground level. The underpinning stone was placed over a greenish grey sandy deposit. The entire shaft, a length of 1.68 m from the base, was polished. Now the exact height of the pillar including its capping members is 14.6 m. Further excavations in between the pillar and the stupa revealed that the original stupa was built by square-size bricks (30 x 30 x 8 cm). It was plastered with kankar lime and subsequently reconstructed or repaired at least three times. The site seemed to have gained importance during the second phase (size of bricks 35 x 24 x 6 cm). Several brick built stupas bearing traces of lime plaster were contemporary to it. Corresponding with different reconstructional phases of the stupa, relaying of the Pradakshina-pathas was also traced. Excavation towards south of the pillar yielded successive floors made of brickbats and surkhi. Simultaneous clearance of debris from the centre of the stupa resulted in the discovery of the remains of a double-walled square relic chamber (brick size : 30X30 x 8 cm). Important antiquities found during clearance included a fragment of Chhatravali and pieces of broken relic casket (both bearing typical Mauryan polish), gold leaves and semi-precious stones (some of them embedded in bricks). Besides, a headless seated figure of the Buddha and a crowned head of the Buddha were also found. On the basis of stratigraphical evidence both the stupa and the pillar were contemporary. The earliest occupation of the site is characterised by Northern Black Polished Ware comparable with the late phase of this ware found at Raja Visala ka Garb of Basarh (period (Ib). The squaresize bricks of the stupa are similar to the square-size bricks (30 x 30 x 8 cm) from period Ib at Raja Visala ka Garh. The discovery of a polished the broad heading of Notes and News' in Puratattva (Bulletin of the Indian Archaeological Society), Number 11, 1979-8), pages 145-147 (with a full-page schematic section on p. 146 and Plates XIII-XV). Ed.
