Rare Neolithic Musical Rock Unearthed In Jangaon

WARANGAL: Archaeological researcher Reddy Ratnakar Reddy has uncovered a rare Neolithic-era rock artefact that emits musical tones when struck, during a field expedition in Bommakuru village of Narmetta mandal on Monday.

Ratnakar explained that Bommakuru — once home to the region’s largest iron industry — still preserves massive 15-kg stone blocks and an array of ancient tools. “Among these, we found a uniquely grooved stone whose central, bowl-shaped cavity and two lateral channels give off distinct musical sounds when tapped with a smaller rock,” he said.

Experts believe the artefact served dual purposes: producing rhythmic tones and facilitating daily tasks such as grinding grains or sharpening iron implements. The stone’s precision carving suggests a sophisticated understanding of both acoustics and toolmaking in the Neolithic period.

Jangaon’s rich archaeological heritage has drawn interest from scholars across India and international visitors from England, Germany, and Italy. However, Ratnakar warned that “many relics are vanishing each year” due to lack of preservation infrastructure.

He has formally urged the district collector to establish a dedicated museum to house Bommakuru’s rare artefacts. “A local repository would safeguard these treasures and promote further research into our ancient past,”