GUWAHATI, Aug 31 - In a significant development, a resident of the Hatishila-Bogoribari village under Sonapur Revenue Circle of Kamrup (Metro) has discovered some stone implements belonging to the Neolithic Age, also called New Stone Age.
The resident, Moon Talukdar, discovered the stone implements at his kitchen garden while preparing the soil for the seasonal cultivation. The tools were discovered a few weeks back.
In all, five stone implements were collected from the site by Talukdar, among which four are definitely Neolithic celts. Among these Neolithic tools, one is a bar-type shoulder adze, while the second one is a typical shoulder axe, the third one is triangular axe and the fourth one is a common Neolithic axe, said the State Archaeology Directorate in a statement here.
It needs mention here that a team of the Directorate, comprising Deputy Director Ranjana Sarma, Technical Officer Nabajit Deori, and Exploration Officer Chabina Hassan, visited the Hatishila-Bogoribari site to study the artifacts under the instruction of Archaeology Director Dr Deepi Rekha Kouli.
According to scholars, the Neolithic Period is the final stage of cultural evolution or technological development among the pre-historic humans. It was characterized by stone tools shaped by polishing or grinding, dependence on domesticated animals and plants, settlement in permanent villages, and the appearance of such crafts as pottery and weaving.
The statement of the Archaeology Directorate said, apart from stone artifacts, a good number of potsherds were found scattered in a courtyard of another resident of the same village, at a distance of only 15 meters from the Neolithic site. The potsherds include rim, led, base of pot with crisscross, chord impression, parallel lines, etc, which are hand-made as well as wheel-turned varieties, the statement said.
The site can be reached travelling a distance of about seven kilometres from Hohora Tiniali of Chamata towards the Pabitora Road. It is apparently 10 km from the NH-37, said the Directorate.
Sonapur Neolithic tools: Some pieces of the Sonapur potsherds, Archaeology Director Dr Deepi Rekha Kouli said that the discovery of typical shoulder celt at a distance of only 50 km from the State capital is great news for the prehistorians and archaeologists. It indicates occurrence of more such sites in the area. As the area comes under a hilly terrain, the area is suitable for prehistoric habitation.
Discovery of such a Neolithic site will open a new vista for pre-historic research in Assam. Further, systematic exploration and trial excavation would shed more light on the Neolithic treasure of the area. The Directorate of Archaeology, Assam, has made communications with the Directorate of Museums, Assam, for collection and preservation of the Neolithic tools, said Dr Kouli.
