The Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage has initiated efforts to study the historic site uncovered during an excavation in Kaashidhoo, Kaafu Atoll around five years ago.
Ruins of a large pre-Islamic site were discovered during an excavation of the island’s Old Friday mosque in 2020.
The Ministry said more parts of the ruins have been discovered from the site and efforts to study the historic material are now underway.
The research is being carried out from 12-24 January by the National Centre for Cultural Heritage in collaboration with University of East of England, Dhivehi Bahuge Academy and Maritime Asia Heritage Survey.
The research efforts are assisted by the staff from the National Centre for Cultural Heritage and Dhivehi Language Academy along with a survey team from Maritime Asia Heritage Survey and two Maldivian students completing Masters in the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas with Sainsbury Centre at the University of East Anglia.
The two-week research project will share with the participants the technical approach and conservation techniques to underground archaeological excavations, the Ministry said.
Excavations in different islands across the Maldives have unearthed several historical sites and items. These finds are studied and conserved by the Cultural Heritage Conservation Centre. In the light of such findings, important information on Maldives’ rich history, culture and heritage has also been documented.