A group of Bangladeshi scientists dug out an ancient road in northern Narsingdi, 50 km northeast of the capital Dhaka, suggesting 2,450-year-old civilization which redefines the history of eastern India. A team of archaeologists of Jahangirnagar University discovered the 18/16-meter and 27-centimeter thick road about a month ago dating back to 450 BCE.
     An important trade center flourished in Narsingdi, on the bank of might river Meghna, which maintained contemporary contacts withother countries in South Asia and Roman civilization through waterways. The excavation of the country's oldest road, a fortified citadel and a raft of artifacts dating back to 450 BCE in Wari village of Belabo sub-district, about 35 km from the capital, promised to redefine the history of eastern India and embolden thetheory of the Brahmaputra civilization.
     The archaeologist asked the government to task them with the site's scientific preservation, saying they deserved it since they had the necessary expertise. The excavators will wrap up their works for this season on April 11 through a closing ceremony, where they will display the artefacts they have collected from the site since beginning of their work in 2000.

Sources: China View (2 April 2004), The Daily Star (7 April 2004)