A team of archaeologists, including some foreign experts, has begun fresh excavation at Tilaurakot, an ancient Shakya capital city where Siddhartha Gautam spent 29 years of his princely life before he became the Buddha.

Digging has started in three places on the Tilaurakot premises within the past three days as per a geophysical survey conducted last year that substantiated possible remains of the ancient city underneath.

The archaeologists and experts have initiated the excavation works where the survey showed a 150mx150m structure and an entry gate. The archaeologists suspect that the structure could be an administrative building of that time.   

A one-and-a-half-metre wide wall was noticed 25-30cm below the ground during the recent excavation. Christopher Davis, a foreign archaeologist involved in the excavation, said it was good news that what the geophysical survey showed was found within three days of exploration.

The joint team comprises 10 professors from Stirling University and Durham University of the United Kingdom, two Unesco consultants, five experts from the Department of Archaeology and four from the Lumbini Development Trust. Thirteen students studying culture and archaeology at Tribhuvan University have also been involved.

The excavation will continue till the end of February. Kosha Prasad Acharya, the Unesco consultant and senior archaeologist involved in the excavation, said the study would find the historical proofs of Tilaurakot which could potentially be a milestone for development in the area.