Naga heritage traced back to 50 B.C.

[Adsos Letter]

Source: Morung Express

Dimapur, December 26 (MExN): The radiocarbon dates of archaeological sites from New Phor, Movolomi and Khüsomi were recently received from the Beta Analytic in Miami, United States. The dates further ‘pushed back’ the antiquity of Naga ancestral sites as early as 50 BC, according to Dr. Anungla Aier and Dr. Tiatoshi Jamir of Anthropological Society of Nagaland.

The Beta Analytic Inc., an internationally renowned institute of physical and chemical sciences has been providing efficient technical assistance to the research since the early part of this year, a note from the two researchers said.
Dr. Anungla Aier and Dr. Tiatoshi Jamir stated in a letter received here today: “The calibrated dates assigned to the sites were as per scientifically accepted procedures using Calibration Database INTCAL 04 Radio Carbon Age Calibration. The sample from New Phor (Sample No.: N.PHR 08/TR1/Beta-265846) dated to Cal BC 50 – Cal AD 90 thus far, offers the earliest radiocarbon date for the Naga ancestral sites archaeologically investigated, while new radiocarbon dates for Khüsomi (Sample No.: KSI 09/TR2/Beta-265844) gives a date of Cal AD1320-1350 and Movolomi (Sample No.: MLI 09/TR1/Beta-265845) dated to Cal AD1420-1640.

All charcoal samples analyzed are reported from the lowest earth layers of the sites.”

It was further stated that the archaeological investigations carried out so far is part of a larger research project that has embarked on the analysis of the archaeological evidences side by side with the ‘folkloristic, ethnographic and anthropometric data.’ The Anthropological Society of Nagaland and the department of Art & Culture is making an effort to seriously engage in the scientific and objective study of the cultural history of the Nagas and these radiocarbon dates are significant not only for furthering our understanding of the cultural history and migration of the Nagas but will also provide insights to past social and cultural interactions between Naga communities. “In this endeavor, we solicit the continued cooperation of the various Naga communities as the work progresses,” the note said.

Link: http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/40361.html
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[Duke Newcombe]

1. Excellent. I'm big fans of their hides. n/t

[aquart]

2. I don't know where Nagaland is.

Should I?