Cherylann Mollan reporting for BBC News in Mumbai and Roxy Gagdekar Chhara reporting for BBC Gujarati in Vadnagar bring the story of a 1,000-year-old human skeleton found buried in India. The skeleton, discovered in 2019 by archaeologist Abhijit Ambekar in western Gujarat state, was found in a meditative posture, sitting cross-legged, likely belonging to the Solanki period.
Despite its archaeological significance, bureaucratic wrangling has left the skeleton without a permanent museum to house it. The Gujarat government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are at odds over who should take charge of the skeleton, which remains in a makeshift shelter near a new museum of local archaeology.
The excavation process was meticulous and time-consuming, taking two months to complete. The skeleton is currently housed in a tarpaulin shelter in Vadnagar, exposed to the elements and unprotected by security guards. Locals visit the site, bringing friends and relatives to see the ancient remains.
Efforts are being made to move the skeleton to a museum as soon as possible, with authorities working on resolving the ownership dispute. The discovery has put Vadnagar, the birthplace of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the spotlight, highlighting the region’s rich history dating back over 2,000 years.
The age of the skeleton was estimated through DNA analysis and stratigraphic studies, shedding light on the region’s past and ancient burial practices. The skeleton’s preservation is attributed to the undisturbed soil surrounding it, providing valuable insights into the history and culture of the area.
As the bureaucratic debate continues, the skeleton remains in limbo, awaiting a final decision on its placement in a museum where it can be properly preserved and studied for generations to come. Cherylann Mollan El bloque de tierra fue luego colocado en una caja de madera llena de barro húmedo y una grúa se utilizó para mover la caja a su sitio actual.
La operación completa tardó seis días en completarse, dice el Sr. Ambekar.
Bhakarba Thakor
El sitio donde se descubrió el esqueleto
Espera que el esqueleto encuentre pronto un lugar en un museo. Pero añade que necesitará tener mecanismos para controlar la temperatura y la humedad del espacio para evitar que el esqueleto se descomponga.
Los lugareños con los que habló la BBC expresaron sentimientos similares y culparon a la “burocracia” por la ida y vuelta sobre el esqueleto.
“Estamos orgullosos de la antigua historia de Vadnagar, pero este trato hacia un esqueleto de 1,000 años es profundamente preocupante. ¿Cuál es el punto de construir un museo si la antigüedad más única se deja afuera bajo un techo de plástico?” dijo Jesang Thakor, residente de Vadnagar.
Otro residente, Bethaji Thakor, dijo que creía que el esqueleto podría atraer turistas de todo el mundo a Vadnagar.
“¿Dónde más podrás ver algo así?”