Neolithic axe dated 4000-2000 BC discovered in Nagarkurnool district

Hyderabad: Archaeologists have found remains of Neolithic period at Somasila in Telangana.
A Neolithic axe, made out of solarising stone, was discovered at Somasila village, Kollapur mandal in Nagarkurnool.
Archaeologist Dr E Sivanagi Reddy said that the tool dates to the period between 4000-2000 BC, during which domestication of animals, intensifying of agriculture and settling at one place began.
Dr Reddy, CEO, Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati, was conducting exploration on the left bank of the river Krishna.
“I chanced upon a Neolithic tool (axe) with a very sharp cutting edge derived out of grinding and polishing. The celt is coated with patina of lime and ash denoting that it was dumped in a pit after its usage. This is based on the similar evidence found at nearby village Chinnamarur, where Neolithic habitation was excavated by the then state Department of Archaeology and Museums in early 1980’s and the features of the stone tool noticed at Somasila village from 4000-2000 BC.
The tool was found in the agricultural field of Telugu Pentaiah of the same village from which Neolithic tools like discoids, pestles and grinding stones were recovered two decades ago by Dr Reddy and are now kept in the local museum.
Sivanagi Reddy appealed Department of Heritage Telangana to take up scientific survey to know the archaeological potential of the site. Dr Reddy mentioned that near Somasila, prehistoric rock paintings are seen at Amaragiri-Bollaram.
“There is a lot of scope for introducing Somasila as a site for pilgrimage tourism because of the Somasila group of temples, archaeological tourism became of the rock paintings and eco-tourism for its vast water body and chain of hillocks and lush green picturesque spots in abundance,” added Dr Reddy.