16. Excavation of the Area North of Hamaam
Supported by: US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation
This area was excavated in the year 1969 – 71. However, due to neglect it was buried again in debris and vegetation. Careful scientific exploration revealed the remains of a mosque with habitation around it. The careful exploration revealed rooms, Terracotta pipes, cisterns etc.. For better understanding and determination of the nature of the remains, a further detailed excavation of the region was necessary.
Outcome:
- Over 20000 square meters of area was carefully explored engaging over 2000 man-days of manual excavation.
- Excavation of area around adjoining to the existing sub terrain chamber referred to in past scholarship as ‘Summer Palace’ was excavated and the remains were cleared and exposed. This revealed the existence of water tanks interconnected with earthen pipes–traces of which are still intact. Large rooms and courtyards enclosing the tanks were also exposed.
- The area north of the Hamaam was cleared of all the filling and excess earth. This revealed a new courtyard with arcaded corridor to the south of the ruins of the mosque exposed last year.
- In order to reach the working level of the Qutb Shahi period, over 1000 cum of the earth dumped in the area following the excavation of the 1969- 1971 was removed. During the clearance, a piece of octagonal dressed stone pillar, not in situ was also noticed.
- On removal of the debris, it exposed the remains of several water tanks on raised platform built in ashlar masonry. A waste water channel originating from one of these tanks leads to the boundary wall which segregates the area of the fourth king (Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah) from the fifth king.
- The western side of the Baoli also had a series of such tanks made in ashlar masonry, definitely used for water storage and possibly washing the shrouds spread over the tombs.
- North of these tanks, a complex with 14 rooms and a water tank, with some poor quality materials was exposed. Adjacent to it another six rooms with a well have been unearthed. All of them are made of one or two courses of stones.
- A miniscule char-bagh pattern pathway with courtyard was also discovered to the north of the mosque area exposed. This also had a lone standing 100 years old earthen wall.
- Further north, remains of collapsed wells, tanks and courses of dry masonry walls were exposed depicting interim settlements probably for the militia.
Impact:
The exposure of these archaeological remains has confirmed the presence of structures other than tombs thus enhancing understanding and interest in the site.
17. Conservation of Archaeological Remains
Supported by: US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation
The area north and west of Hamaam needed to be properly consolidated and conserved for proper presentation of the area. Conservation works needed to be carried out carefully ensuring long term preservation of the structures.
Outcome:
- The existing walls and columns of the mosque, rooms and corridors were raised in random rubble masonry up to 3 feet high using traditional lime mortar.
- The existing corridors and the floor of the rooms were covered with lime concrete laid to adequate slope for water drainage ensuring long term preservation.
- The existing walls were cleaned and re-pointed with lime mortar.
- The ground surface was dressed to proper slope ensuring drainage of water into the existing Baoli.
- Missing portions of the dressed stones in tanks and corridors were replaced with stones of matching texture.
Impact:
The conservation and consolidation works of the remains have ensured long term preservation. Grading of the earth towards the Baoli has ensured water conservation in the site revealing the original intent of the strategic location of the Baoli to collect rain water in this otherwise dry region.