Nagpur University Unearths 3,000-Year-Old Iron Age Settlement In Maharashtra’s Yavatmal District

Nagpur, 5th May 2025: Researchers from Nagpur University have claimed to have discovered the remains of an ancient human settlement dating back approximately 3,000 years in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district. The findings, which include relics from the Iron Age to the Nizam era, are expected to significantly enhance our understanding of early human habitation in Central India.

The archaeological excavation was conducted during the 2023–24 academic year at Pachkhed village in Babhulgaon taluka. Led by Dr. Prabhash Sahu, head of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology at Nagpur University, the project revealed an Iron Age settlement previously unrecorded in archaeological studies. Researchers believe it could be among the earliest known habitations in the region.

The excavation site was located on a mound near Pachkhed, known in archaeological terms as a “Pandhri Tekdi,” which indicates prolonged human settlement. These mounds accumulate layers of soil and cultural materials over centuries. The mound unearthed during this project had a cultural deposit nearly 8.73 meters thick, suggesting long-term habitation. Stratified excavation techniques were used to study different time layers of the settlement.

The site yielded evidence of four distinct cultural phases. The earliest and most significant phase is associated with the Iron Age, characterized by distinctive iron tools and a variety of pottery types. Researchers further categorized this phase into sub-periods to better understand the evolution of material culture over time.

Following the Iron Age, the settlement appears to have experienced continued habitation during the Satavahana period (2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE), a dynasty that ruled much of the Deccan Plateau. Pottery styles and architectural remnants from this era indicate a cultural transition that reflects the region’s integration into larger historical developments.

The third cultural layer pertains to the medieval period, with limited yet telling artifacts indicating reoccupation. The uppermost layer dates back to the Nizam era (18th–20th century), with signs that the site may have served as a lookout post or watchtower during that time.

One of the most striking discoveries was the remains of circular houses with lime floors and wooden posts, indicating an early form of planned rural or tribal architecture. These homes featured designated cooking areas, complete with earthen stoves, offering a glimpse into the domestic lives of the settlement’s inhabitants.

The excavation also uncovered diverse artifacts, including iron tools, pottery, terracotta and semi-precious stone beads—some likely used for ornamentation or trade. Animal bones were also found, indicating domestication or food consumption practices.

According to Dr. Sahu, these findings suggest a technically advanced society with a strong tradition in craftsmanship, trade, and possibly religious practices. The evidence points to not just technological advancement but also a complex social structure.

To verify the age of the site, organic samples have been sent to the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in New Delhi for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) dating. This technique measures the decay of carbon isotopes to determine the age of ancient artifacts. The final results, expected by May or June 2025, could confirm whether the lowest layers of the mound indeed represent early Iron Age settlements from 3,000 years ago.

If confirmed, the discovery will stand as one of the most significant archaeological finds in Maharashtra in recent years, offering a rare window into the region’s prehistoric and historic past.