Ancient Pre-Gond Settlement Unearthed Near Chandrapur A significant archaeological discovery has been made near Chandrapur, revealing evidence of an ancient settlement believed to predate the rise of the Gond kingdom. The site, located at Bor Rith, lies at the confluence of the Irai and Jharpat rivers, according to Prof Suresh Chopane, a local historian and researcher. The findings suggest continuous human occupation spanning from the Stone Age to the Satavahana, Vakataka, and Yadava periods, challenging the traditional narrative that Chandrapur's history began with the Gond rulers. The site, currently occupied by agricultural fields and situated outside a flood-prone zone, has yielded artifacts dating back nearly 10,000 years. These include Stone Age tools, ancient pottery, animal bones, teeth, and iron slag, which may indicate early iron-smelting activities. Prof Chopane also reported the discovery of remnants of a temple complex, such as two Shivalingas and structural remains, pointing to the presence of a later religious center. A Hanuman temple now stands at the location, while local farmers have previously uncovered old coins and ornaments, further highlighting the site's historical significance. Prof Chopane emphasized that the fertile riverbanks of the Irai and Jharpat rivers supported human settlements thousands of years before the emergence of organized kingdoms in the region. He argued that the area's proximity to perennial water sources made it a hub for prehistoric communities, with other ancient settlements identified nearby, including areas near Papamiya Hill, Arwat village, Mana, and Pathanpura. These sites, he noted, were inhabited by tribal and Hindu communities before the rise of the Gond kingdom.#prof_suresh_chopane #chandrapur #bor_rith #irai_river #jharpat_river
