Pot shades have clues to old sites in Nalgonda district

Hyderabad: Pot shades or “penkalu” (roof tiles) among others provide big clue to unearthing of historical sites.

In one case, a soothsayer’s prediction and finding of a Hanuman idol led to a historical site in Nalgonda district.

“Pot shades, soil, bricks, folklore and other items throw light on historical sites. Basically pot shades provides a big clue. Several excavations were undertaken from pot shades found, “P. Nagaraju,” Assistant Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Nalgonda/Mahbubnagar told DC.

Nagaraju who is involved in the excavations of historical sites in Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar district says even among pot shades there are different varieties and they throw light on the history. “Names of places, soil, bricks, implements, bangle pieces, and terracotta products also lead to sites. You get lot of data on historical sites if you hear folklore from village elders. I got clues from them,” says Nagaraju.

He added, that Rakasagundlu or megalithic burials dating back to 1000 BC and 200 AD were found while chatting with village elders. Names of villages too can throw light on sites, especially if names end with “Padua” (ancient).