Nagaland University has launched a major archaeological research initiative to uncover the prehistoric life of Naga communities, aiming to inform climate change mitigation strategies and support food security across the state.
Focusing on the Holocene and Anthropocene periods, the university is working closely with Indigenous communities to respect and incorporate traditional knowledge while uncovering ancient village sites and pre-agricultural histories.
&ldquo;This community-based, participatory research gives local populations ownership while enriching scientific insights,&rdquo; a university official said.
The project, led by Prof. Tiatoshi Jamir of the Department of History and Archaeology, is a collaboration with institutions like the University of Sydney, La Trobe University, University of York, and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, funded by the Australian Research Council for 2025&ndash;2028.
Initial pilot studies in villages like Langa (Shamator district) and New Phor (Meluri district) have already yielded archaeological discoveries alongside oral histories from tribal elders.
&ldquo;Through this work, we are reconstructing ancient food systems and environmental responses,&rdquo; said Prof. Alison Betts of the University of Sydney. Researchers are examining ancient pottery, phytoliths, and charred plant remains to trace diets and climate adaptations.
The project also explores the traditional 'jhum' farming system, previously criticized but now increasingly seen as key to biodiversity and resilience.
With younger generations leaving villages and erratic weather threatening agriculture, this multi-disciplinary effort aims to link the past with the future, offering sustainable solutions rooted in ancestral knowledge.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]
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Nagaland University Explores Naga Prehistoric Life & Climate

Community-led study reveals Naga history, food systems, and climate

Nagaland University Explores Naga Prehistoric Life & Climate

Community-led study reveals Naga history, food systems, and climate

June 16, 2025 | 18:07 IST