Archaeologist Okram Kumar delivers lecture on Stone Age Culture of Manipur

Dr. Syed Ahmed *

Archaeologist Okram Kumar delivers lecture on Stone Age Culture of Manipur

Renowned Archaeologist and former Superintendent of Manipur State Archaeology, Okram Kumar Singh, delivered a lecture on Stone Age Culture of Manipur at the Invited Lecture Series organized by the Department of History, D.M. College of Arts, Imphal, on 22nd October 2022 at the Multipurpose Hall of the college. The event was graced by the Principal, Dr. Ch. Sheelaramani and Head of Department of History, Lunneikhup Vaiphei, of the college.

Giving the keynote address, Assistant Professor, Dr. Syed Ahmed, expressed, “The lecture programme was organized for the students and research scholars with an aim to enhance their knowledge about the prehistory of Manipur. Our students are not familiar with the prehistoric phase of Manipur. It’s also an area where researchers have not given adequate attention.

Okram Kumar is, in fact, the first trained Archaeologist who had extensively done field works in various prehistoric sites of the State from the late 1960s and produced several published works. He is still an authority on the prehistory of Manipur. His books are recommended for Graduation and Masters’ courses in our college.

So we have invited Okram Kumar for the lecture so that our research scholars and students get the opportunity to understand the prehistory of Manipur. The Department of History of D.M. College of Arts is planning to invite other academicians in the future. We hope such academic activities would benefit the students and research scholars immensely…it’s a great opportunity for all of us to hear him speak on his experiences as a trained Archaeologist and his research findings and understandings.”

Okram Kumar focused his lecture on the three phases of Stone Age Culture in Manipur – Palaeolithic, Hoabinhian and Neolithic Age – highlighting the characteristic features and the different stone tools of each of the phases. He supplemented his lecture with power point presentation showing the several artefacts found from the prehistoric sites during the excavations.

Okram Kumar also shared some of his experiences as an Archaeologist and the contributions he had made in the development of State Archaeology Department. He also emphasised the need of Government’s attention in developing and preserving the archaeological sites in the State, particularly the Kangkhui Caves in Ukhrul district, Tharon Caves in Tamenglong district, Songbu Caves and Machi in Chandel district, Nongpok Keithelmanbi Hills in Senapati district, Napachik in Wangoo village in Bishnupur district, Phunan Hills, etc.

Okram Kumar, during his interaction with the audience, emphasised the need for creating archaeological awareness among the people in the State, as lack of the awareness result in vandalism of valuable archaeological remains and sites. He said, “Lack of awareness of the importance of archaeological values is a great hindrance to archaeological research and development in Manipur. This resulted in vandalism of archaeological artefacts or sites.

For example, when a piece of pottery is found while digging at a place, the one who found often discard it since the important character attached in the pottery piece is not known. We may cite another example of vandalizing a very important archaeological site of Tumuching, near the Laimanai village in the Kakching district. It was destroyed as the people do not know the archaeological value of the site.

This site is the rarest of the rare sites in Manipur. From this site, we could unveil the evolutional history of iron technology in Manipur. In a recent research, it has been proved that iron industry had developed as early as the first century BCE. But unfortunately, major part of the hillock, except a small part of the north eastern corner, has been dug out for using the earth in other development works in the area.

As a result, we lost a very important heritage of Manipur for ever. This case may not be alone; several unreported cases must have happened in Manipur. State Government, particularly the State Archaeology Office, should come forward as the protection of archaeological sites and remains is their responsibility.

To save such situation, we immediately require arranging awareness programmes by way of delivering lectures on the importance of archaeology in Manipur at different parts of the State, particularly to the active younger generations in the colleges and universities. Research projects involving the students may be suggested to increase interest on the Archaeology of Manipur. For that, educational institutions should encourage such projects by way of providing financial assistances…”

The lecture programme was attended by the faculty members, research scholars and students of D.M. College of Arts and D.M. College of Science and G.P. Women’s College.