Bhopal: In a significant development, early stone age tools, dating back to one million years ago, have been found right in the heart of Bhopal.
Retired superintending archaeologist of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Bhopal, Dr Narayan Vas has discovered the prehistoric remains comprising hand axes, scrapers, and flakes at two places in the state capital.
“I was surprised to find the early Stone Age and late Stone Age period tools at two places right in the heart of Bhopal. This was the first time prehistoric tools are discovered in Bhopal”, the archaeologist who has played a key role in bringing the prehistoric rock art site at Bhimbhetka, nearly 55 km here, to national and international limelight, told this newspaper. The prehistoric tools were discovered at a residential colony and near Kaliasrot dam in the city last week.
While early Stone Age period tools found in these places are made of sandstones, the late Stone Age remains discovered is prepared from semi-precious stones such as quartz and chert.
“I found large deposits of prehistoric tools at Sanskar Valley area close to the dam built over Kaliasrot river in the city. This clearly indicates the region was home to prehistoric civilisation. Excavation could throw light,”, he said.
Incidentally, the prehistoric rock art site at Sehdkarar hills, which is a part of Vindhyachal mountain range in Central India, is barely three km from the spot where the early and late Stone Age period tools were found.
The Bhimbetka prehistoric rock art site is also around 55 km from the site where the prehistoric remains were discovered.
