Department of Archaeology (Bangladesh)

Department of Archaeology (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ প্রত্নতত্ত্ব অধিদপ্তর, pronounced [baŋladeʃ protnototto ɔdʱidoptor]) is one of the government agency of Bangladesh. By the Laws of Archaeology 1964 (amended in 1976) this agency maintains the conservation and preservation of archaeological sites in the country. Since 2013 the department has been running its activities from the Administration Building situated in Agargaon in Dhaka.

Department of Archaeology (Bangladesh)
বাংলাদেশ প্রত্নতত্ত্ব অধিদপ্তর
Department overview
Formed1972 (1972)
Preceding Department
JurisdictionGovernment of Bangladesh
HeadquartersAgargaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Parent DepartmentMinistry of Cultural Affairs
Websitewww.archaeology.gov.bd

History

The organization was first founded in 1861 as a part of the Archaeological Survey of India. After the independence of Bangladesh its office was established in Dhaka.[1] In 1983 regional offices were established in the then 4 divisions including Dhaka as the headquarter by divisional rearrangement.

Agency Functions

Department of Archaeology (Bangladesh) compiles and also conserves the list of archaeological sites and artifacts of Bangladesh. Currently (June 2016) there are 452 archaeological sites under the conservation of this department. Some of the mentionable among them are- Mahasthangarh, Mainamati, Somapura Mahavihara, Shita Coat Bihar, Nawabganj, Kantajew Temple, Choto Sona Mosque, Sixty Dome Mosque, Vasu Vihara, Barobazar, Lalbagh Fort. Among these, Somapura Mahavihara and Sixty Dome Mosque have been recognized as World Heritage Sites.[2] Also there are 17 Archaeology museums under the administration of this department. The department works on to recover history by discovering ancient cultural elements from remote areas scattered within the country, and to repair and preserve the discovered monuments and exhibit them.[2]

Museums

Currently there are 17 museums administered by Department of Archaeology.[3]

Dhaka Division:

  • Lalbagh Museum
  • Baliati Museum
  • Mymensingh Museum

Rajshahi Division:

  • Paharpur Museum
  • Archaeological Museum, Mahasthan
  • Rabindra Kachharibari Museum
  • Patisar Museum
  • Chalan Beel Museum

Rangpur Division:

  • Tajhat Palace Museum

Khulna Division:

  • Khulna Divisional Museum
  • Bagerhat Museum
  • Shilaidaha Kuthibari Museum
  • M.M. Dutt Bari Museum
  • Rabindra Complex, Dakkhindihi

Chittagong Division:

  • Mainamati Museum
  • Ethnological Museum, Chittagong

Barisal Division:

  • Sher-e-Bangla Sriti Museum

References
  1. Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  2. "Department of Archaeology-Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh".
  3. http://www.archaeology.gov.bd/site/page/46a886e4-0d38-4c9b-9c40-444783026e21/%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%98%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%B9
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