Research Background Media and Blogs Sub Projects Origins of Agriculture in South India
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The Challenge
of Protecting endangered Sites Many important
archaeological sites in the Bellary district are unprotected and
threatened with destruction. The Neolithic ashmounds, which represent a unique and
still poorly understood feature of Indian archaeology, are being
destroyed at a rapid rate. Many existing
ashmounds occupy once marginal areas that are now being cultivated
due to the expansion of irrigation facilities. Ashmounds
that have survived for 1000s of years are being destroyed in a
single season. An equally important threat to Neolithic sites comes
from quarrying activities. Local granite
quarriers target surface boulders, thus obliterating rocks that
bear ancient paintings and Local granite quarriers in
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Of the 3 ashmound reported at Kupgal in the 1940s, only one remains (left) and is partially destroyed. A second was removed (white patch to right) by farmers in 2002.
Exposure of major Neolithic tool production site at Hiregudda as a result of quarrying activity |
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