An archaeological site in Dima Hasao district, Assam, was uncovered in the 1960s during road construction but was partially damaged in the process.
The site, called Daojali Hading, is now confirmed to be a Neolithic habitation zone that is over 2,700 years old.
A recent survey by a team from the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, with support from experts at IIT Guwahati and NEHU Shillong, found several artefacts.
These artefacts include polished celts (stone tools), cord-marked pottery, mortars and pestles, and jadeite stone, linking the site to the Neolithic cultures of East and Southeast Asia.
A major discovery was a furnace and iron slag, which shows that early metallurgical activities took place at the site.
Earlier excavations (1962–1964) had already identified it as a Neolithic site, but road construction had damaged much of the area.
The new findings call for more research and preservation, including radiocarbon dating and comparative studies with other ancient sites.
Experts stress that this site is an important window into the early community life and technology of prehistoric India.
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