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ancient human remains Discovered in Mizoram
1. What Was Discovered in the cave?
Over 700-year-old human bones, including skulls, femurs, and other skeletal parts, were unearthed in a cave in northern Mizoram near the Manipur border. Alongside the bones, ancient artefacts such as a dao (knife) and broken pots were also recovered.
2. How Old Are These Remains?
carbon dating indicates the skeletal remains date between 1260 CE and 1320 CE, making them roughly 400 years older than the previously accepted timeline of Mizo migration.
3. Who Discovered the Bones?
The remains were found in Thinkhuang forest by a villager while hunting. The site is located about 1,228 metres above sea level in a gorge, making it difficult to access.
4. Why Is This Discovery Important for Mizo History?
Historians had believed that the Mizo people entered Mizoram around 1700 CE. These findings challenge that timeline, suggesting a much earlier presence and reopening questions about when Mizo ancestors first settled in the region.
5. How Is the Discovery Being Studied?
• Archaeological analysis by INTACH and experts from Mizoram’s Art and Culture Department.
• Carbon-14 dating conducted in a laboratory in the United States.
• DNA sequencing is planned to determine lineage and connections with present-day Mizos.
6. How Does This Compare to Earlier Finds?
The newly discovered remains are about 200 years older than bones found at Vangchhia in east Mizoram’s Champhai district, which dated back to 1485 CE.
Synopsis
The discovery of 700-year-old human bones in northern Mizoram challenges long-held views on the timeline of Mizo settlement. Dating back to 1260–1320 CE, these remains predate previous evidence and prompt a re-examination of Mizo history. Artefacts recovered alongside the bones add cultural significance, and forthcoming DNA sequencing may reveal connections between ancient inhabitants and present-day Mizo people.