Giant mysterious “jars” that may have been used for burial rituals were discovered at four new sites in Assam, India.
THE discovery comes from a large collaboration involving researchers at Australian National University (ANU).
The 65 newly discovered sandstone jars vary in shape and decoration, with some high and cylindrical and others partially or completely buried in the ground.
Similar jars, some of which are up to three meters high and two meters wide, have been discovered in the past in Laos and Indonesia.
Massive stone jars are a fascinating and mysterious type of archaeological sites. They are to be found in Laos at the famous ‘plain of jars’, in parts of Indonesia and also in some of the hilly areas of Northeast India. Here with a beautiful view 🙂 pic.twitter.com/YyEb3OR6kt
– Maria Wunderlich (@Maria_Tonja) February 17, 2022
“We still do not know who made the giant vases or when they are dated. It is all a mystery.”he stated ANU doctor Nicholas Skopal.
💡📢 Visiting Student co-authors paper on giant stone jars found in Assam, India: https: //t.co/cgF2DzchNZ#archaeology #assam #india pic.twitter.com/vVitTzvhCL
– Clare Hall (@clarehall_cam) March 30, 2022
Another mystery that arises is what these giant jars were used for. Researchers believe they may have been involved in necropsy practices.
“There are stories from the Naga people, the current ethnic groups in Northeast India, of finding such jars full of cremated remains, beads and other material artifacts.”said Mr. Skopal.
This theory is in line with findings from other vase sites in countries such as Laos, which are also associated with burial rites.
Initially, the aim of the new research was to investigate existing sites with these jars in Assam. However, as the researchers moved around the landscape, they realized that more needed to be discovered.
“The team only searched a very limited area, so there may be a lot more out there, we just don’t know where they are yet.” he noted.
Capturing and reporting these sites is of great importance in terms of cultural heritage management in India.
“There do not seem to be any living ethnic groups in India associated with the vases, which means that it is important to preserve the cultural heritage.”said Mr. Skopal.
“The more time we take to find them, the more likely they are to be destroyed, as more crops are planted in these areas and forests are cut down.” he added.
Researchers worked with local communities on the ground to uncover possible jar sites, often through mountainous jungle areas.
“Once the sites are listed, it becomes easier for the government to work with local communities to protect and maintain them so they are not destroyed,” Skopal said.
The study was led by Tilok Thakuria of North Eastern Hill University and Uttam Bathari of Gauhati University.
The study’s findings are published in the Journal of Asian Archeology.
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