The State government recently found a coin hoard from the Ikshvaku period at the historic site of Phanigiri. The excavation was overseen by State Principal Secretary to Youth Affairs, Tourism, and Culture Sailaja Ramaiyer and Bharathi Hollikeri, Director of the Department of Heritage.
Phanigiri village is situated on the left bank of the river Bikkeru in Suryapet district. The site was first discovered and protected during the Nizam period.
The coin hoard was discovered in a globular pot buried 40 cms deep in the Southernmost monastic cell. The pot contained 3,730 lead coins with an elephant symbol on one side and a ujjain symbol on the other. These coins were determined to be from the Ikshvaku period.
During the excavation, various cultural materials and structural remains were also found, including beads, shell bangle fragments, stucco motifs, sculptures, toy cart wheels, iron nails, and pottery. The most significant discovery was the coin hoard.
The Department of Heritage Telangana conducted these excavations during the 2023–24 field season to uncover the complete history of the site. The excavation was led by N. Sagar and B Mallu.
