These hilltop ruins of a forgotten Buddhist monastery flourished in Antiquity from trade with the Roman Empire.
“Discovered by the Indian Navy during its aerial survey of the area, the ruins of Thotlakonda were excavated by the state department of archaeology from 1988 to 1993. Among the artifacts found during the excavations were a hoard of ancient coins, mainly consisting of Satavahana lead and Roman silver, indicating that the site flourished from foreign trade between the 2nd century B.C. and the 3rd century A.D.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the monastery was supported by local Buddhists and traders rather than a local ruler, and that it was an important cultural and academic center, with many monks coming over from China and other regions to learn and meditate”
