Maha archaeology department confirms Stone Age tools at Bhatala & Mowad, raises alarm over illegal mining

Nagpur: The Maharashtra department of archaeology and museums unearthed stone tools and defence articles believed to be over 2 million years old at Bhatala and Mowad in Warora tehsil of Chandrapur, 64 km off Nagpur. The prehistoric sites at Bhatala and Mowad have been facing extinction due to illegal mining.

Comprehensive research by Nagpur University's postgraduate department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology (AIHCA) by PhD student Sushant Begade and Prof Prabash Sahu brought forth the reality on these sites recently. The research compelled the state govt to initiate an inquiry.

The prehistoric settlements of Bhatala and Mowad date back to the palaeolithic period (Old Stone Age spanning 2 million years and around 10,000 BCE), holding remnants of a time when early humans shaped stone tools and adapted to the environment thousands of years ago. Artefacts and stone tools found at these sites include handaxes, cleavers, scrapers, and picks.

After an inspection, Mayuresh Khadke, assistant director of archaeology and curator, directorate of archaeology and museums, Maharashtra, said they requested SDO and collector to prevent illegal mining near the sites. "We have already submitted the report by the PhD scholar who explored the sites. Our report is being compiled," he said.

Khadke said they didn't find remains, but stone tools and defence articles were present. "In case, settlement or any related remnants are found, the sites will get ASI protection. Bhattala is already a protected site. We are planning a joint visit with researcher Begade to search for more evidence," he said.

Taking note of the TOI report in February, the state archaeology department in Mumbai swung into action and ordered an inquiry by the Nagpur division to assess the ancient remains and verify claims regarding unregulated mining and the disappearance of artefacts.

The archaeological sites hold the story of human evolution and our shared past. The sites are facing destruction with 75% heritage in the form of stone tools lost to unregulated mining and natural erosion. The threat of extinction looms over these valuable pieces of history in the face of abundantly available rocks like red sandstone, quartzite, and chert.