‘Human settlement in Sunderbans dates back to early historic period

Human habitation in the ecologically fragile Sunderbans dates back to the early historic period from 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD, a recent exploration by the Directorate of Archeology and Museums, Government of West Bengal, has revealed.

“During an exploration at Govardhanpur and its surroundings in the Patharpratima block in South 24 Parganas district last month, we have come across about 500 antiquities from that period, as well as the early medieval period (7th to 9th century AD), some of which were collected and persevered by local fishermen,” Gautam Sengupta, director of the State government’s archaeology wing told The Hindu .

“The antiquities were found in and around Govardhanpur. Antiquities mostly comprise terracotta fragments, human and animal figure, different kinds of pots and bricks. Some materials belong to the early historic period and some to early medieval period,” Amal Roy, Deputy Director of Archaeology said.

It reinforces the argument that human habitation in the Sunderbans belongs to the early historic period, Dr. Sengupta said.

“There has always been a major debate (on the subject). Colonial historiography implies that the area was an inaccessible region and effectively brought under human habitation by the British who divided it into plots,” he said.