Teacher collects rare stones in Hyderabad

JANGAON: An oddly shaped piece of rock found by the roadside may not trigger much curiosity. But a history teacher in Jangaon, Reddy Ratna-kar Reddy, not only collects such stones but also conducts research on them.

Over many excavations in the district, he has collected countless items like rocks, fossils and tools believed to have been used by pre-historic men. Mr Ratnakar Reddy has turned his house into a mini museum. He is also planning to write a book soon about his findings.  

Coloured rock beads, menhirs, cist, kern circles, grinding stones, grooves, pots with design, rocks shaped as weapons like knife, hammer and small spears form his collection.

One of the most interesting findings of Mr Reddy is a musical stone near Chunchunakota hillocks in Cheriyal mandal. A long flat stone with 60 capsules, when hit, it plays different notes of music. He concluded that it was used for playing music.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle on the occasion of world heritage day, Mr. Reddy said ?Most of these stone are found near the foot of hillocks in villages. Due to the lack of awareness among the people, these stones are ignored. I enquire with my students if there is a hillock in their village.

I ask about any historically interesting facts about it. I find time to visit the place and find out more about it. Very often, I end up finding such pre-historic stones, sculptures and petroglyphs for me to research on. Every village has a history; every rock has a story of its own.?

Though his excavations were mainly focused in and around Jangaon mandal, he has brought to light many historic sculptures and stone carvings. He found locations where primitive man cooked food or had graves. He found stones used for worship and many more. Mr. Reddy wants officials to preserve such locations as they reflect the history and heritage of the land.