The Department of Archaeology has taken the initiative to set up Divisional Archaeological Museum in Sylhet. The department is now looking for a suitable place for the museum.
Md Hannan Mia, Director General of the department and Additional Secretary of Cultural Affairs Ministry, visited the proposed locations for the archeological museum in Sylhet on Thursday.
Regional Director of Department of Archaeology Dr Md. Ataur Rahman, Chief Coordinator of Save the Heritage and Environment Abdul Hye Al Hadi were present at the time, among others.
Hannan Mia said that the process of setting up the Divisional Archaeological Museum is going on. “I have visited the proposed sites and will finalise a location as soon as possible. We are planning to develop archaeological sites in Sylhet to boost tourism in the area,” he said.
He also said that hundreds of people visit Sylhet every day to enjoy the natural beauty but they were denied the opportunity of knowing Sylhet’s history and heritage due to the lack of an archaeological museum. Until now, archaeological activities in Sylhet were being conducted under Cumilla office. Therefore, it is high time to set an archaeological museum and office in Sylhet, he added.
Earlier, a team led by Regional Director of Department of Archaeology Dr Md. Ataur Rahman on November 4 and 5 visited several locations. Later, the team submitted a report proposing three prospective spots for the museum.
The proposed sites are Jaintia Rajbari at Jaintiapur upazila, Sylhet Central Jail-2, and ‘Jitu Miah’r Bari’, a hundred-year old house in Sylhet.
In his reaction, Abdul Hye Al Hadi welcomed the initiative of Department of Archaeology and said that the proposed divisional archeological museum will promote the heritage of the region.