Police raid recovers 4,000 yr old copper artefact

Lucknow, Sep 19 (UNI) Timely action by police in Uttar Pradesh has prevented a 4,000 year old copper artefact from being melted for commercial use.

The state Directorate of Archaeology said today working on a tip off, police in Auriyya district arrested a man, about to sell 25 kgs of copper hoard which he had found in a field, to a metal trader.

''It was on July 31 that a rural acrobat found some objects protuding a kuccha track passing through a cultivated field. He dug the spot and found a copper artefact...But before he could strike a deal to sell it off, the local police raided his house and recovered the objects,'' said director Dr Rakesh Tiwari.

When police handed over the recovery to directorate officials, it turned out to be a 4,000 year old copper hoard consisting of harpoons, axes chisels and rings. The artefacts are being treated with chemicals and preservatives. ''After we complete the process, the objects will be plaxced in a museum for display,'' he said.

''Now we plan to excavate the site to find enough charcoal and organic material for carbon dating...we have already forwarded a proposal to the ASI in Delhi,'' Dr Tiwari said. The site is located near river Rind -- a tributary of river Yamuna and is spread in an area of two acres.

''The material scattered on the surface is mainly represented by red ware dominated by well baked thick sectioned potsherds...the only identifable shape in them is a vase,'' the director informed.

UNI