KATHMANDU: An ancient stone fountain dating back to 900 years has been found in the World Heritage Site of Swayambhu. The locals have informed the archeology department after a stone spout came out of the road during the road expansion. The department team has informed that the section is older than the Middle Ages after an on-site study.
"The structure of the stream does not reflect the Kathmandu Valley's stone-spout culture," said Bhesnarayan Dahal, the department's director general. "It's considered pre-medieval." Its structure does not match other stone spouts in the vicinity, hence it could be around 900 years old.
According to the department, the headwaters of the stone fountain in the Kathmandu Valley have been found in the shape of a goat and the head of a calf has been made in the shape of a calf. This type of stream is still found in western Nepal.
Chief Archaeological Officer of the department, Saubhajya Pradhanang, said that the structure of the stone fountain was not in line with the medieval and Lichchavi period. "In the Kathmandu Valley, there are stone fountains of Lichhavi and Mallakalin times, but it is not possible to say which period," she said.
She said that even though it looked normal, a detailed study was needed to find out exactly what time it was. She also pointed out that there was a settlement in the area where the stream was found. "Usually, the presence of stone fountains indicates that there was a good settlement in the vicinity at the time," he noted, "but that may not be the case," implying that there could be an old goreto on its way to Swayambhu first. 'It's possible that the stream was used for drinking and watering the tourists.' According to an archeology official of the department, a similar stone spout has been found in the western part of the country. "Water appears to be falling from the head shape of the calf discovered here," he explained, "but the historical stone fountain found in the Kathmandu Valley is in the shape of a crocodile (fish)."
After the on-site examination, the department team declared that it will protect it by cooperating with the residents. "It appears to be stuck underground," Dahal explained.
Local Ashok Tuladhar said that he informed the department after finding a stone fountain while digging the road. "We have heard that there was a stone fountain there before. He said, 'We found it here while trying to widen the road and we informed the department,'" he said.
According to locals, this section has not been filled much. Bishnu Devi Shahi, 63, said, "When we were young, we used to bathe here. It was also customary to take water to the Swayambhu and worship it." You had to go down two steps to the stream. The stream was too long. '
Locals say that the historic stream has been filled as the stone fountain was not taken care of even while constructing the road and the tank of the adjacent Kimdol Janajagriti Drinking Water Committee. Champa Lama, coordinator of the committee, said that the stone fountain was near the tank when the tank was built in 1932 BS. An ancient stone fountain found by the locals during the widening of Kimdol road.
