PATNA, March 29 -- As the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) begins the fifth round of excavations at the ancient mound of Balirajgarh in Madhubani district, a growing chorus of historians and locals is demanding something far more basic than fresh digging: accountability for what has already been unearthed across Bihar.

The Balirajgarh site, long tied to legends of the Mithila kingdom and Raja Janak, has been explored four times before - beginning with the ASI's first effort in 1962-63. Later campaigns in 1972-73, 1974-75 and 2013-14 turned up a massive 10-foot-wide boundary wall estimated to be 2,200 years old and northern black polished ware pottery that could push human activity here back 3,500 years. Yet no comprehensive report ha...