A headless Buddha sculpture found during explorations from the vicinity of the Kottapuram fort near Kodungalloor in Thrissur district in 2007 was being used to tether a country boat to prevent it from drifting away in the river.
The fort, also known as Cranganore fort, was constructed by the Portuguese in 1523. The Archaeology department began research at Kottapuram in 2000 and numerous artefacts have been recovered since from the fort’s vicinity.
The Buddha sculpture, believed to date back to the 9th century, is one of the highlights of Keralathaara, an exhibition organised by the Archaeology department at the bandstand of Kanakakkunnu Palace in connection with the ongoing Keraleeyam.
