Excavation Works in Oceans

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has carried out excavation in 2007 at Dwaraka in collaboration with Indian Navy and documented the submerged structural remains in the Arabian Sea. In the forecourt of Dwarakadheesh temple, excavation was carried out over the natural bedrock which revealed-coins of copper, animal figurines of terracotta, sculptural and architectural fragments, bangles of shell, bone and glass, beads of stones and terracotta, rings, stones and variety of plain and decorated potsherds which seem to be of historical period. 

Excavation was also conducted near-shore region southwest of Samudra Narayan temple and found wooden block from a submerged circular structure. 

During the last five years, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has not conducted any exploration/excavation work in ocean. 

The funds for oceanic excavation are provided from general funds allocated for excavation and exploration to the Archaeological Survey of India. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma in reply to an unstarred question today in Lok Sabha.