A team of antiquity experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) today left for Canada to inspect a sculpture, seized by the local heritage authorities there, which resembles sandstone sculptures of the ancient Khajuraho monuments.
"The team comprising three officials, the antiquity director, a superintending archaeologist, besides a geological expert would verify the authenticity of the sandstone sculpture," Additional Director General, ASI, B R Mani told PTI here.
According to official sources, the sculpture, of a lady holding parrot was detained by the Canadian Heritage authorities from a person, who was in possession of it, without valid documents in Canada, in 2011.
It was seized under the Cultural Property Export and Import Act, and was brought to the notice of the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, as it was made using sandstone, the material used in Khajaraho sculptures.
"The Canadian authorities had alerted our Indian Mission at Ottawa about the detention of the sculpture made using sandstone," an official said, adding, locally available sandstone was used for making sculptures in Khajaraho in Madhya Pradesh.
The sculpture in Canada appears to be like Khajuraho's sandstone sculptures, the sources claimed.
The team would be inspecting the sculpture thoroughly in the light of no theft case of any such sculpture having been reported with the police in India.
While the two archaeological experts would look into its age, the geologist would be inspecting the sandstone, ASI sources said. They would file a report based on their observations.
Khajuraho, the ancient Kharjjura-vahaka represents a distinct pattern of art and temple architecture seen during the rich and creative period of the Chandela kings.
The Khajuraho Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by the Chandelas dynasty between 9th and 12th century, marking the culmination of the central Indian architectural style.
