DIMAPUR, JUL 20 (NPN): Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of prehistoric human habitation dating back about 3,500 years in caves and rockshelters in Noklak district, providing fresh insights into the early history of agriculture and human settlement in Nagaland.
A joint team from Nagaland University and the Department of Art & Culture, Government of Nagaland, carried out the preliminary archaeological cave expedition for the first time in Noklak district in March 2026 in the limestone karst terrain of Chiphurarea with the assistance of the Chiphur Village Council.
The exploration led to the identification, documentation and mapping of five caves and four rockshelters in the Naga Hills Ophiolite Belt. Excavations unearthed cord-marked pottery, ground stone tools, hearth features, carbonised cereal grains and wild animal remains.
The cereal remains included Setaria italica (foxtail millet) and Coix species (Job’s tears), indicating early agricultural practices in the region.
Scientific dating carried out using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) by Beta Analytic Laboratory, Florida, revealed that the Leilo Kaa rockshelter dates to around 3,500 years ago, while the Kathso Kaa cave site dates to approximately 1,000 years ago, indicating that these sites were used from prehistoric through historical periods.
Researchers said the findings reinforce the importance of Northeast India as a corridor of ancient human migration. They noted that the Naga Hills Ophiolite and the Naga Metamorphic Complex in the Chiphur-Mimi region along the Indo-Myanmar mountain ranges hold immense archaeological potential for understanding the prehistoric past of the region.
According to the team, scientific dating of cave and rockshelter sites in Nagaland is gradually providing a clearer picture of the lifestyles of early inhabitants, including their subsistence practices, ceramic and tool technology, burial traditions and cultural beliefs.
A public exhibition showcasing the excavated artefacts is planned in October by the State Museum under the Department of Art & Culture in collaboration with Nagaland University.
The researchers comprised of a joint team from the department of history & archaeology, NU, and the Department of Art & Culture, Government of Nagaland led by Prof. Tiatoshi Jamir, Dr. Heme Lamthaiu, Dr. Limasanen Longkumer, Khumeng T. (ARO), Robinson Huidrom, and Victoria Leyri (Delhi University)
