NARMADA VALLEY EXPEDITION
 
Current Strategies

    A Long wait for Human Fossils

    It is only after over a century's long anticipation that human fossils could be discovered in 1980s and 1990s from Central Narmada valley. These are the only human fossil findings in South Asia:

    (i) A right calvarium ( skullcap ) by Arun Sonakia,GSI

    (ii)A right clavicle ( collarbone ) by A.R. Sankhyan. AnSI

    And recently (iii) A partial left Clavicle and 9 th left Rib by A.R. Sankhyan. AnSI

    And, these come from the basal cemented gravel called Boulder Conglomerate or Surajkund Formation at Hathnora


Need for More Work

    This modest beginning is a challenge for future since these human fossils have world wide interest and implications in understanding human origins. It is also acclaimed by notable scholars, like Kenneth A. R. Kennedy, that India has enormous field resources for the palaeoanthropological investigations where the Narmada basin and the Siwaliks are in particular of great significance.

    And, we have tapped only a fraction of the same. Therefore, it is imperative that extensive and intensive systematic explorations and excavations of Central Narmada basin are of immediate concern. This is particularly very compelling in view of the inevitable submergence of the basin in the wake of Narmada Sagar Dam backwaters and monsoonal over flooding of Narmada River. So, we have the only option to salvage as many as possible the prehistoric lithic cultural artefacts and fossil remains of the early men and their associated fauna before these sink into the waters forever, and never be tapped again.


Urgent Strategies for Palaeoanthropological Research in Central Narmada Valley

    Hence, a special panel of the notable experts was formed to seriously discuss the matter involving the senior scholars in the field to evolve modalities for systematic work under the auspices of the National conference on Human Origins, Genome & People of India organised by the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) at the India International Centre, New Delhi from 22 nd to 24 th March 2004


Recommendations of Narmada Panel

    The Panel was chaired by Dr. D.K. Bhatt, Deputy Director General, Geological Survey of India (Lucknow) and was attended by many eminent panellists comprising of palaeontologists, Quaternary geologists, prehistoric archaeologists, palaeo-ecologists, magneto-chronologists, palaeo-anthropologists, etc.

    The panellists appreciated the concern of the AnSI and realised the urgent need for conducting palaeo-anthropological researches in Central Narmada basin to salvage the fossils and cultural artefacts of the prehistoric man. After a detailed discussion, the panellists unanimously resolved as follows:

     
The Strategy

    A long-term sustained field investigation, initially at least for two years, should be undertaken as:

    (a) To begin with the Hathnora Hominid Fossil locality is to be selected. The field of investigation can be expanded later to other promising areas, if time and resources allow.

    (b) The study is to be undertaken by the Anthropological Survey of India.

     
The Aims

    (a) Primarily to retrieve all type of fossils and lithic artefacts.

    (b) To ascertain the nature of the fossiliferous and implimentiferous deposits.

    (c) To document the process of data retrieval and investigation with the help of latest scientific methods and technological aids.


The Methodology

    (a) Application of sedimentological, geophysical, geomorphological and archaeological principles and techniques with addition of geo-chronological processing of data as and when found.

    (b) Setting up of a semi-permanent Field Station close to the investigation area.
The Collaboration

    •  The Archaeological Survey of India has voluntarily joined to collaborate with the AnSI.

    •  The Superintending Archaeologist Bhopal Circle with the assistance of one Asstt. Archaeologist will participate in excavation at Hathnora, to be done after the explorations.

    •  They will impart orientation training in excavation techniques at Bhimbetka site before starting the excavation at Hathnora
The Field Working Group

    The Narmada field operation will be carried out under the supervision of the Project In-Charge (ARS) under directions from the Director AnSI. The field team shall be comprised of:

    1. Two-Senior Research Fellows,

    2. Three -Junior Research Fellows,

    3. Field Assistant

    4. Skilled/Unskilled labourers – as per field requirement,

    5. Camera man,

    6. Draftsman/ Surveyor,

    7. Driver with Vehicle

    The Senior Research fellow will co-ordinate with each team and monitor the progress, and shall also take up the responsibilities in the absence the Project In-Charge

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