Hyderabad: Masjid, Tunnel, Summer Palace are among the discoveries made in the excavation project at the historic Quli Qutb Shahi Tombs complex here.
The project for restoration of the over 400-year-old tombs complex started in 2013 after the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) signed a memorandum of understanding with Telangana state department of archaeology and museums.
For the excavation, AKTC has received a grant of USD 1,01,612 from the US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).
Michael Pelletier, Deputy Ambassador, United States, today toured the site with AKTC officials.
“This programme is global wherein the US government funds conservation and restoration of historic and culturally- significant sites,” Pelletier told reporters.
The US diplomat, who also reviewed the ‘Summer Palace’ among the discovered monuments, said, “It’s the exciting part of the complex because it shows how the life was here. It really adds to the richness and the extent of the importance of this particular archaeological site.
“The work is ongoing and they are discovering new aspects of it… Some of the waterworks, surrounding walls… we will continue to work with them as the project moves forward.”
Local people were trained to do some of the excavation work and to restore buildings, he added.
AKTC has also roped in archaeology and history students so that they get training and practical experience as part if the project.
“We found a lot of residential structures, waterworks features, one major mosque… It is still continuing,” AKTC Project Director Ratish Nanda said.