Hyderabad: In a major archaeological finding, a set of ancient Stone Age tools has been discovered in the Haridra riverbed near Medak district, offering fresh evidence of prehistoric human activity in Telangana. Experts believe the artefacts belong to the Lower Paleolithic period, making the discovery significant in tracing the early history of human settlement in the Deccan region.
The tools were reportedly identified during a field exploration conducted by heritage researchers and archaeology enthusiasts near the Haridra River. Preliminary examination suggests that the collection includes hand axes, flakes, scrapers, and stone cutting implements that were likely used by early humans for hunting, food processing, and other survival activities.
Researchers stated that the artefacts appear to have been shaped manually using primitive stone-working techniques. The sharp edges and structured forms of the tools indicate deliberate craftsmanship rather than natural rock formations. Archaeologists familiar with prehistoric cultures say such discoveries are crucial in understanding how ancient communities lived, hunted, and adapted to their environment thousands of years ago.
According to experts, riverbeds and rocky landscapes in Telangana have historically served as important zones for prehistoric habitation because they provided water, food resources, and suitable terrain for shelter. The latest findings near Medak strengthen the theory that several parts of present-day Telangana were inhabited by human groups long before recorded history.
The discovery also adds to a growing number of archaeological findings reported across Hyderabad and nearby districts in recent years. Earlier explorations in Medak and surrounding regions had uncovered Mesolithic microliths, ancient rock paintings, and Paleolithic artefacts, highlighting the region’s rich but underexplored prehistoric past.
Historians noted that Medak district has increasingly emerged as an important archaeological zone due to repeated discoveries linked to ancient civilisations and Stone Age cultures. Similar discoveries near Hyderabad’s outskirts have indicated that the Deccan plateau may have supported human activity for several lakh years.
Experts have now called for a detailed archaeological survey and scientific excavation of the Haridra riverbed area to determine the exact age and cultural significance of the artefacts. Researchers believe further investigation could reveal whether the site functioned as a habitation zone, hunting ground, or stone tool manufacturing centre during prehistoric times.
Archaeologists and conservationists also warned that rapid urbanisation and unregulated construction activity pose a threat to historically significant locations across Telangana. They stressed the need for immediate preservation measures to protect such sites from destruction before they can be scientifically documented and studied.
The latest discovery has once again drawn attention to Telangana’s ancient heritage and the possibility that many more prehistoric sites remain hidden beneath the region’s riverbanks and rocky terrains.
