Hyderabad, Sept.23 : Paleolithic stone tools have been discovered in the outskirts of Hyderabad, providing fresh archaeological evidence of ancient human habitation in the region dating back at least 300,000 years (3 lakh years). The discovery was made during a joint field exploration at Kongara Khurd ‘B’ forest area, adjoining Kongarakalan in Maheshwaram mandal of Ranga Reddy district, located in the southern periphery of Hyderabad.
The exploration team comprised Mir Omar Ali Khan, Vice President of Climate Front Telangana and member of Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam, alongside Sripathi Vaishnav, Wildlife Conservationist and Hyticos member. The team was supported in the field by Forest Beat Officer Sai Varun, Section Officer Pavan, Ranga Reddy District DFO Shiv Aasheesh Singh, IFS, and Range Officer J. Prabhakar. During the survey, the team identified a Paleolithic quartz stone hand axe and a round quartz sling stone, indicating the early use of hunting projectiles during the Paleolithic Age.
This discovery follows an earlier find by Mir Omar Ali Khan, who previously discovered quartz hand axes and points at Manchirevula Beerappagutta within the Manchirevula Forest Trek Park. Sriramoju Haragopal, President of Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam, stated that the continuous presence of such artifacts proves the Manchirevula–Kongara Khurd belt served as a significant prehistoric human settlement for over three lakh years. Archaeologists and researchers have urged official agencies to undertake more extensive surveys across the forest belt to preserve and document the region’s ancient heritage.
About the Author
