Coins and Artifacts from Peddabankur Excavations
Peddabankur is an important early historic archaeological site excavated from the late 1960s in Peddapalli District, Telangana, India. Located approximately 29 km from Karimnagar, it is a place of considerable archaeological interest. Excavations revealed apsidal and rubble-walled structures, brick structures, terracotta objects, iron-working evidence and covered drainage channels associated with the ancient settlement.
Peddabankur is a small village today but was an important settlement during the early historic and Satavahana periods, extending over approximately 30 hectares. About 10 kilometers from Peddabankur lies Dhulikatta (also called Shulikatta), a fortified early historic settlement that has been identified by some scholars with one of the fortified cities of the Andhras mentioned by Megasthenes. This identification applies to Dhulikatta, not directly to Peddabankur.
History & Significance
Peddabankur preserves evidence of multiple early historic phases. Archaeological research indicates an earlier Megalithic phase followed by substantial Satavahana-period occupation. Buddhist remains form an important part of the site's archaeological character, but the exact dating of individual structures should be based on their excavation contexts rather than assuming that every Buddhist structure belongs to the 3rd century BCE.
Roman coins and a terracotta figure interpreted as representing a Roman trader provide evidence of long-distance contacts and trade during the early historic period. The figure's identification should be understood as an archaeological interpretation rather than an absolutely established portrait of a Roman individual.
Peddabankur should also be distinguished from nearby Dhulikatta/Shulikatta. The latter is the fortified settlement that some scholars have associated with one of the fortified cities mentioned by Megasthenes. This provides important regional context for Peddabankur's location within the wider early historic Deccan.
Archaeological Findings
Coins
- Punch marked coins
- Roman coins – evidence of long-distance trade and contact
- Satavahana coins
Iron Objects
- Agricultural implements
- Carpentry and domestic implements
- Weapons – spear heads, spikes and arrow heads
Artifacts
- Seals
- Beads and bangles
- Terracotta and kaolin human figures
- Antimony rods
- Dice
- Coin moulds
Inscriptions & Structures
- Brahmi labels reported from the site
- Apsidal and rubble-walled structures
- Brick structures
- Terracotta animal figure
- Covered drainage channels with soakage arrangements
Evidence for iron-working and forging was found in the Peddabankur excavations. Archaeological evidence includes a terracotta forge and a range of iron implements. These finds demonstrate that metalworking formed an important part of the settlement's craft activities. The agricultural tools, domestic implements and weapons provide evidence for a range of practical uses of iron.
Excavation & Infrastructure
The site preserves evidence of ancient drainage infrastructure. Excavations documented covered drainage channels associated with the settlement, including arrangements for directing waste water toward soakage areas. This provides valuable evidence for the management of water and waste within the ancient settlement.
Excavations revealed:
- Apsidal and rubble-walled structures – their exact functions require interpretation from archaeological context
- Brick structures – evidence of permanent construction
- Terracotta animal figure – reported among the site's terracotta finds
About 10 kilometers from Peddabankur lies Dhulikatta/Shulikatta, a fortified early historic settlement that some scholars have identified with one of the fortified cities of the Andhras mentioned by Megasthenes. The association provides important regional context but should not be attributed directly to Peddabankur.
Legacy – A Window into Ancient India
Peddabankur stands as a remarkable testament to the cultural and economic history of the Deccan. Its archaeological sequence includes Megalithic and Satavahana-period occupation, Buddhist remains, sophisticated craft activity, coins, terracotta objects, iron-working evidence and infrastructure associated with an organized settlement.
The discovery of Roman coins and a terracotta figure interpreted as a Roman trader points to long-distance contacts during the early historic period. The Brahmi inscriptions, Buddhist remains and diverse material culture further enrich our understanding of the religious, social and economic landscape of ancient Telangana.
Peddabankur is not just an archaeological site — it is a window into the past, a testament to human ingenuity, and an important part of the archaeological heritage of the Deccan.
- Location: Peddapalli District, Telangana (approximately 29 km from Karimnagar)
- Excavations: Began in 1967–68
- Period: Megalithic and early historic phases, including substantial Satavahana-period occupation
- Site Area: Approximately 30 hectares
- Nearby Fortified Site: Dhulikatta/Shulikatta, approximately 10 km away, proposed by some scholars as one of the fortified cities mentioned by Megasthenes
- Religious Heritage: Early Buddhist remains
- Key Finds: Punch marked coins, Roman coins, Satavahana coins, Brahmi inscriptions, iron implements, terracotta figures, seals and beads
- Infrastructure: Covered drainage channels, soakage arrangements, apsidal/rubble-walled structures and brick buildings
- Trade: Long-distance contacts evidenced in part by Roman coins and a terracotta figure interpreted as a Roman trader
- Metallurgy: Evidence of iron-working and forging
- Artifacts: Seals, beads, bangles, antimony rods, dice and coin moulds
- Inscriptions: Brahmi labels reported from the site
- Monastic Asia – Peddabankur
- Wikipedia – Satavahana Dynasty
- Wikipedia – Megasthenes
- Government of Telangana – Department of Archaeology and Museums
- Archaeological Survey of India – Indian Archaeology: A Review and excavation reports
Peddabankur – where early Buddhist heritage, Satavahana-period archaeology, ancient craft production and the wider Deccan trade networks meet.