摘要：
孟加拉国考古学家3月15日表示，他们在该国首都达卡附近发现了一座壁垒森严的古堡，并对其进行了部分挖掘。该城堡的历史可追溯到公元前450年，有关专家认定它是古代贸易通道上的一处歇脚点。
Archaeologists in Bangladesh say they have uncovered part of a fortified citadel dating back to 450 B.C. that could have been a stopping off point along an ancient trade route.

孟加拉国考古学家3月15日表示，他们在该国首都达卡附近发现了一座壁垒森严的古堡，并对其进行了部分挖掘。该城堡的历史可追溯到公元前450年，有关专家认定它是古代贸易通道上的一处歇脚点。

据路透社3月15日报道，这座古城堡坐落在位于达卡东北方向85公里处的瓦里镇。到目前为止，环绕其四周的一条护城河以及部分古代道路的遗迹已经被发掘了出来。达卡贾罕吉尔纳加尔大学考古系的系主任、考古学家苏非·莫斯塔费祖尔·拉赫曼表示， "这条古代道路当初在建设时显然经过了细心的设计，它上面甚至还附带有下水道出入孔，这也可以证明它曾经处在一个工作效率极高的政权的管理下" 。莫斯塔费祖尔还补充说："我敢肯定，通过进一步的挖掘，我们一定会找到古代宫殿的遗迹。"

考古学家们近几年来一直在当地对古代道路进行挖掘，同时还出土了一些手工制品。荷兰一所大学对这些物品所做的检测结果显示，它们的历史可以追溯到公元前450年左右。这次被挖掘的土地的大小为600米×600米（1800英尺×1800英尺），考古学家在其中找到的物品包括金属硬币、金属凿子、赤陶土制成的投掷物、带有孔洞和圆形把手的陶器、石头锤子及手镯等。从出土的各种装饰品的图案及形状可以看出，当时该地区城市居民的日常生活已完全被佛教思想所主宰。按莫斯塔费祖尔的说法，这座古代城堡肯定是属于Harappan文明（这种文明曾于公元前2700年到公元前700年间，在印度河流域及恒河流域盛极一时）的一部分，可能有一个颇为兴旺繁荣的贸易中心城市在此存在过，而且该城市或许在那一时期的南亚文明与古罗马文明之间起到过一定的联系作用。

报道说，考古学家们希望能够在该城堡及其周边地区找到更多令人惊喜的发现。在瓦里以及与其邻近的巴特斯瓦尔村里，一共有47个地方被认为具有一定的考古价值，而有关学者则已计划对它们进行全面的挖掘工作。

（国际在线独家资讯 张咏）

Archaeologists in Bangladesh say they have uncovered part of a fortified citadel dating back to 450 B.C. that could have been a stopping off point along an ancient trade route.

So far, a moat round the citadel has been uncovered along with parts of an ancient road at Wari, 85 km (53 miles) northeast of the capital Dhaka.

"The citadel and a raft of artifacts may help redefine history of India," said Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, head of the department of archaeology at Jahangirnagar University, near Dhaka.

"The well-planned road with even manholes proves that the citadel was managed by a very efficient administration," Mostafizur added.

"I am confident further excavation will lead us to residue of a palace," he said.

Archaeologists have been excavating the ancient roads and unearthing artifacts for several years. Tests by a Dutch university revealed the objects dated to around 450 B.C.

Artefacts found in the 600 x 600 meter (1,800 x 1,800 ft) include metal coins, metallic chisels, terracotta missiles, rouletted and knobbed pottery, stone hammers and bangles. Ornaments suggested Buddhism dominated life in the urban centers. Mostafizur said the citadel was believed to be a part of Harappan civilization and a prime trade center might have flourished there, possibly serving as a link between contemporary South Asian and Roman civilizations.

The Harappan civilization flourished in the Indus and Ganges valleys between 2,700 B.C. to 700 B.C.

Archaeologists hope the citadel and surrounding area yield many more surprises.

In Wari and the nearby Batteswar village there are 47 raised areas and archaeologists are planning to excavate all of these as well.

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