Puri: A team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has collected samples of the lion statue unearthed near the Emar Mutt to analyse the structure and submit a report.
The ASI team led by Superintendent Arun Mallick analysed the architect, species of the rock and the quality of artefact from different angles.
Mallick told reporters that the ancient lion sculpture could be dating back to the time of Ganga dynasty era. However, there can be more clarity on its history only after it is tested in the archaeological laboratory, he added.
This is the third lion sculpture found during excavation works in the 75-metre periphery area of Jagannath Temple for the Srimandir Parikrama project. The ASI had already mentioned two more sculptures from the site and submitted pictures of those in its affidavit to the Orissa High Court.
Earlier, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi and Puri activists as well as ASI claimed that no ground-penetrating radar survey (GPRS) was conducted to ascertain the archaeological and historical importance lying buried in the subsoil within the 75m radius of the centrally-protected monument.
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