Discovery of Neolithic remains near Lanco Hills pushes Hyderabad’s history back to prehistoric times

Hyderabad: E. Sivanagireddy, an archaeologist, and his team have announced the discovery of remains from a seasonal dwelling of prehistoric humans on a large hill known as Peddagutta, situated near Lanco Hills between Khajaguda and Puppalaguda in the city.

The survey took place on the left side of the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple, currently under construction, where unique rock formations can be found. During the survey, the team identified four locations featuring grooves that were formed by grinding and polishing stone axes during the Neolithic period around 2000 BCE.

These grooves, situated within a 10-meter radius and close to natural rock shelters, served as seasonal campgrounds for Neolithic communities, according to Sivanagireddy. Measuring between 25 to 30 cm in length, 4 to 6 cm in width, and 2 to 3 cm in depth, these grooves were likely utilized by small groups to sharpen stone tools during that era. The area spans 10 acres and includes more than 15 rock shelters and caverns, some resembling serpent hoods and ridges, which provided shelter to Neolithic people from the sun and rain.

Drawing from previous evidence found at rock art site Kokapet and Neolithic site BNR Hills, Sivanagireddy emphasized that these recent findings hold significant archaeological importance. They suggest that the area on the opposite side of the Gachibowli-Narsingi Outer Ring Road (ORR) served as a habitation during the Neolithic and Megalithic (Iron Age) periods. This discovery pushes Hyderabad’s history back to prehistoric times.