Kathmandu: The United States Embassy in Kathmandu, in partnership with Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, and the Lumbini Provincial Government, inaugurated the first-ever conservation laboratory at the Lumbini Museum in Rupandehi district on Monday.
Deputy Chief of Mission Jason Meeks and Cultural Affairs Officer Erica Alexander represented the U.S. Embassy at the ceremony, which also saw the participation of Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey and officials from the Lumbini Development Trust.
The new lab was established through a $244,966 grant from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) to the Buddha Foundation, according to a statement issued by the embassy. The grant also supports the documentation, conservation, and preservation of historically significant artifacts from the greater Lumbini Area.
Described as a “historic step forward” by the embassy, the lab is expected to position Lumbini as a regional center for archaeological research and preservation. Officials say it will also foster innovation, local capacity-building, and collaboration in the field of heritage conservation.
The Lumbini Museum houses more than 300 artifacts dating from the 6th century BCE to the 3rd century CE, including terracotta figurines, stone sculptures, and ancient coins. Many of these items were excavated from Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, and have been stored at the National Museum in Kathmandu due to the lack of conservation infrastructure.
“This project marks a transformative step in preserving these cultural treasures,” the embassy noted, highlighting that the lab will now enable on-site conservation, study, and secure storage of these materials. A training program will also be implemented to develop local expertise in archaeological conservation.
The lab is one of the first modern conservation facilities of its kind in Nepal and is expected to contribute to sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and economic development in the region.
Over the last two decades, the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu has supported 28 cultural heritage projects across Nepal through the AFCP, with total funding exceeding $4.54 million.
Nepal ranks among the top global recipients of AFCP grants.
The embassy said such initiatives not only protect Nepal’s cultural legacy but also enhance bilateral ties, support economic growth, and create opportunities for collaboration in tourism, hospitality, and education.