GUNTUR: In a major discovery, Buddhist remains of a circular sthupa and pillared pavilion (sila mandapa) of third century were found at Kondaveedu Fort on Sunday.It is significant because historians and archaeologists had held that human movement on Kondaveedu came only after the Reddy kings of the 14th century moved their capital to the hill top located in dense forest.The Sunday’s discovery points that the Buddhists moved around the hilltop almost 2000 years back.The latest findings might lead to more studies by anthropologists and archaeologists.A team comprising archaeologist Dr Emani Sivanagireddy, Kondaveedu Fort Development Society convener Kalli Sivareddy, Amaravati Buddha Vihara secretary Subhakar Medasani visited Kondaveedu Fort on Sunday to monitor the fort renovation work.Sivanagireddy noticed the sthupa structure measuring 12.5 ft in diametre, 4.5 ft in height consisting of layers of well-dressed Palnadu lime stone which the Buddhists preferred. The bottom-most layer was carved with lotus flower design representing the mature phase of typical Amaravathi School of Art as seen at the pedestal of the world famous Nagarjunakonda Buddha image, giving clue to conclude that the sthupa was built during the Ikshwaku period.Dr Reddy doubted that historical structures of the third century might have been dismantled by the Reddy kings while building a new fort after shifting their base to the hilltop. It is further surprising that a beautiful lime stone pillar carved with half lotus medallion flanked by a bunch of flowers in Ikshwaku art style was also discovered in the parking area atop hill fort.“It belongs to a pavilion where ordination is given to novice monks,” Dr Reddy told ‘TOI.’