Explorers in Telangana recover artefacts, link village site to Satavahana period

Large-sized bricks measuring 14 X 12 X 4 inches. (Express Photo)

The location is the Patigadda, meaning the ancient village area, of Cherial village in Siddipet district. Across a 50-acre, square-shaped plot on the outskirts of the village, field researchers have retrieved several terracotta figurines of dolls, yakshini puppets, pottery shreds of different designs, cracked gravels, beads and pebbles and even a coin from the Satavahana period. The coin bears the insignia of Ujjain on one side and Brahmi script on the other.

They also recovered bricks measuring 14 X 12 X 4 inches. “These large bricks and figures of goddesses belong to the Ikshvaku as well as Satavahana periods. We also found three hand-axe heads or rock tools belonging to the neolithic period,” says the group’s convener, Sriramoju Haragopal, a retired headmaster .

Figures of goddesses belong to Ikshvaku as well as Satavahana periods. (Express Photo)

“A large, emerald green stone bead was also among the beads found. Such colourful stone beads and terracotta beads were part of ornaments during the Satavahana period. The terracotta figurines include a broken doll’s foot, a broken fairy head and a headless goddesses. These figurines belong to the Ikshvaku style,” explains Haragopal. The exploration was led by group members Vemuganti Muralikrishna, Ahobilam Karunakar and Kolipaka Srinivas.

Earlier, the group’s field researchers had found similar artefacts such as beads, pots, victory plaques and inscriptions from the Rashtrakuta period in the Patigadda of nearby Akunuru village. “Since we have proof of such a large number of historical artefacts to imply the archaeological importance of the place, we would request the state department and the Archaeological Survey of India to proceed with further excavations,” he adds.

A large emerald green stone bead was also among the beads. (Express Photo)

According to archaeologist Dr E Sivanagi Reddy, the site at Cherial belongs to the early historic period and is about 2,000 years old. “The site has huge archaeological potential and can be considered on par with Kondapur, in Sangareddy, which was a fortified city and one of the capitals of the Satavahanas,” he tells indianexpress.com. Since these artefacts surfaced at Cherial, he adds that the site needs to be notified and protected. Officials from the Department of Heritage Telangana refused to comment.