Sandstone jars with ceremonial petroglyphs put Bokarma Hading on archaeological map

Guwahati: Two kilometres from Chota Wapu village on Haflong- Lanka Road lies the Bokarma Hading site, which has been found to house ancient sandstone jars and flat stone surfaces bearing notable petroglyphs of various forms.

A recent preliminary investigation by a joint team from the department of archaeology and the Haflong district museum has confirmed the presence of significant archaeological remains in the in Hadingma area of Dima Hasao district.

After receiving reports from locals, the field team comprising Bidisha Bordoloi, Shring Dao Langthasa, Bhubanjoy Langthasa, Harash Thaosen, Sanjay Maibangsa, and Pulitha Kemprai, conducted a field survey on Saturday with help from informants. Their primary aim was to verify the reported discoveries, document the visible features, and assess the site's potential for detailed archaeological study.

Shring Dao Langthasa, a research archaeologist from the department of archaeology of Dima Hasao Autonomous Council, said preliminary examination suggests that these jars are about 500 years old and were probably used in mortuary or commemorative practices, similar to megalithic jar traditions observed in the south Asian country of Laos, which is bordered by China and Myanmar.

"Similar stone jars were first discovered in 1929 by James Philip Mills and John Henry Hutton in the North Cachar Hills. More such jars were later found in Meghalaya in 2022. Based on our preliminary investigation, we can assume that Assam may have had some form of cultural or historical connection with the southeast Asian region," Langthasa said.

Langthasa added that the petroglyphs on the flat stone surfaces are believed to have symbolic or ceremonial meaning. Among these, an anthropomorphic figure was noted, appearing to wear armour and hold weapons and a shield. "The petroglyphs add a significant layer of cultural complexity, with the detailed anthropomorphic figure indicating the possible importance of ritualistic or ceremonial activities at the site. The close association of stone jars and intricately carved stone surfaces highlights Bakorma Hading as a location of considerable archaeological and historical significance," he said.

The team confirmed that the site also contains spirals, abstract motifs, and intersecting lines, which they believe require detailed study. To facilitate this, they recommended a full-scale archaeological survey, including controlled excavation, 3D documentation and community engagement to safeguard the site.