Cherylann Mollan, reporting for BBC News in Mumbai, and Roxy Gagdekar Chhara, reporting for BBC Gujarati in Vadnagar, share the story of a 1,000 year-old human skeleton found buried in a meditative posture in western Gujarat state. The skeleton, discovered by archaeologist Abhijit Ambekar in 2019, remains without a museum to house it due to bureaucratic disputes, six years after its excavation.
The skeleton, believed to belong to the Solanki period, is currently placed in a makeshift tent in Vadnagar. Despite its archaeological significance, officials are still debating over who should be responsible for the skeleton. The Gujarat government intended to place all artefacts from Vadnagar in local museums, but the skeleton remains in the possession of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Excavating the skeleton was a meticulous process that took two months to complete. Currently housed in a tarpaulin shelter in Vadnagar, the skeleton is exposed to natural elements and lacks proper security. Locals visit the site to see the skeleton, shedding light on the historically significant region of Vadnagar.
While a new Archaeological Experiential Museum in Vadnagar showcases the town’s history, including a framed photo of the skeleton, the actual remains are not housed there. The age of the skeleton was estimated through DNA analysis and stratigraphy, providing insights into the region’s past.
Abhijit Ambekar hopes that further studies on the skeleton will reveal more about the region’s history and ancient burial practices. Despite the challenges in finding a permanent resting place for the skeleton, efforts are underway to move it to a museum as soon as possible. Cherylann Mollan Blok tanah kemudian dimasukkan ke dalam kotak kayu yang diisi dengan lumpur basah dan sebuah derek digunakan untuk memindahkan kotak ke lokasi saat ini.
Seluruh operasi ini memakan waktu enam hari untuk diselesaikan, kata Pak Ambekar.
Bhakarba Thakor
Lokasi di mana kerangka tersebut ditemukan
Dia berharap bahwa kerangka itu akan menemukan tempat di museum segera. Tetapi dia menambahkan bahwa akan perlu memiliki mekanisme untuk mengendalikan suhu dan kelembaban ruang agar kerangka tidak mengalami pembusukan.
Warga yang diwawancarai oleh BBC menyatakan sentimen serupa dan menyalahkan “red tapeism” atas mundurnya kerangka tersebut.
“Kami bangga dengan sejarah kuno Vadnagar tetapi perlakuan terhadap kerangka 1.000 tahun ini sangat mengkhawatirkan. Apa gunanya membangun museum jika artefak paling unik dibiarkan di luar di bawah atap plastik?” kata Jesang Thakor, penduduk Vadnagar.
Penduduk lain, Bethaji Thakor, mengatakan bahwa dia percaya kerangka itu bisa menarik wisatawan dari seluruh dunia ke Vadnagar.
“Di mana lagi Anda bisa melihat sesuatu seperti ini?”
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