Prehistoric Sites Bhatala, Mowad Dating 2 Million Years on the Brink of Destruction

Nagpur: Archaeological sites upholding the story of human evolution and our shared past at Bhatala and Mowad villages of Warora taluka in Chandrapur district, 64km off Nagpur, are facing devastation, say experts. It's a legacy spanning two million years.
At least 75% of the heritage, in form of stone tools, is already lost to unregulated mining and natural erosion. The peril of extinction looms over these invaluable pieces of history due to the abundant presence of rocks like red sandstone, quartzite, and chert.
Prehistoric settlements of Bhatala and Mowad date back to the palaeolithic period (Old Stone Age spanning 2 million years and around 10,000 BCE), preserving remnants of a time when early humans fashioned stone tools and adapted to the environment thousands of years ago. The artefacts and stone tools discovered at these sites encompass hand axes, cleavers, scrapers, and picks.
Comprehensive research by Nagpur University's postgraduate department of Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology (AIHCA) by PhD scholar Sushant Begade, under Professor and guide Prabash Sahu, has unveiled the stark reality facing these significant sites. Begade said that unlike renowned heritage sites such as the Ajanta or Ellora caves, Bhatala and Mowad remain largely obscure to the public. "There is minimal awareness about their significance, and presently, no official conservation endeavours have been implemented to safeguard them from damage," he said.
Begade discovered a substantial concentration of Acheulian tools during exploration at Bhatala and Mowad in 2023. The research scholar was astounded to witness 75% sites destroyed during a revisit last week. "The tools have been crafted using red sandstone, quartzite, and chert at these sites. 75% of the sites have been obliterated now. The tools' concentration has diminished drastically," Begade said.
He added that the Palaeolithic period signifies the earliest phase of human culture. "During this epoch, early humans utilised stone tools to hunt, gather food, and survive in their environment. Sites like Bhatala and Mowad preserve evidence of this ancient way of life, including stone tools fashioned from locally available rocks such as quartzite, sandstone, and chert. These tools assist archaeologists in understanding how early humans adapted to their surroundings, developed skills, and created primitive technologies," he said.
Discovery of tools like handaxes, cleavers, scrapers, and picks at these sites indicates that prehistoric people once inhabited the area, shaping and refining their tools over time, he said. Sahu, professor and head of AIHCA, said, "If conservation efforts are not initiated immediately, the site may vanish. Not just Palaeolithic sites, numerous such important archaeological destinations are facing destruction across the country. India has a problem of plenty as far as archaeological remains are concerned. These sites are getting ruined due to encroachment of land and urbanisation. Lack of awareness among people is also responsible for the plight of these remnants," Sahu said. Chandrapur district collector Vinay Gowda didn't respond to TOI's calls.