Excavations at the ancient city of Beikthano in Myanmar have revealed a pristine brick temple belonging to the Pyu city-states era. The temple is unique for its hybrid architectural style, blending local Pyu building techniques with early Buddhist influences from the Andhra region of India. The structure consists of a central vaulted cella surrounded by a circumambulatory path filled with votive offerings.
The excavation team discovered a cache of terracotta panels decorated with silver inlays, depicting scenes from the Jataka tales. This is the first recorded instance of precious metal being used as an inlay on structural terracotta in the region. The findings suggest that Beikthano was a more significant hub of maritime trade and artistic exchange between the 4th and 6th centuries than previously hypothesized.