Five ancient gold-coloured metal statues have been unearthed from a brass container in Palli Khorda village of Vangbaria Union, Alamdanga Upazila. The discovery was made on Monday, 2 January, during a joint operation conducted by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local police. Initial examinations, however, confirmed that the statues are not made of gold.
According to local sources, Abul Mujam, son of Chini Uddin, discovered the brass container while digging land for his new home. He later reburied the container in his courtyard, unaware of its archaeological significance.
Acting on a confidential tip-off, the Chuadanga-6 BGB team, accompanied by Alamdanga police, conducted a search of Mujam’s property. The search revealed five metal statues wrapped in red cloth within the brass container. Their striking gold-like appearance initially led the local community to believe that they were valuable gold artifacts.
The site was immediately secured by police and BGB authorities. Preliminary metallurgical analysis revealed that the statues are not made of gold, but rather a copper-rich alloy containing between 53 and 60 percent copper. Lieutenant Colonel Nazmul Hasan, Commanding Officer of Chuadanga-6 BGB, explained: “The gold-like coating caused understandable confusion among local residents regarding their value.”
Archaeologists believe the statues may hold significant historical importance. Further examination of their preservation methods, wrapping techniques, and structural features is underway to determine their exact cultural and historical significance. Following evaluation, the statues are expected to be transferred to government custody for proper preservation.
A summary of the recovered statues is presented in the table below:
| No. | Statue Type | Metal Alloy (%) | Colour | Wrapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goddess | 53 | Gold-coloured | Wrapped in red |
| 2 | Goddess | 55 | Gold-coloured | Wrapped in red |
| 3 | Goddess | 58 | Gold-coloured | Wrapped in red |
| 4 | God | 60 | Gold-coloured | Wrapped in red |
| 5 | God | 56 | Gold-coloured | Wrapped in red |
Local archaeologists will assess the statues before their official handover to the Chuadanga district administration and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Authorities emphasised that, due to their historical and cultural significance, the artefacts must be handled with the utmost care and preserved according to established conservation standards.
The discovery has generated excitement among historians and local residents alike, highlighting the rich, yet often hidden, archaeological heritage of the Chuadanga region.