Human settlements in Sunderbans revealed to be Early Historic

A recent exploration by the Directorate of Archeology and Museums, Government of West Bengal has revealed human habitation in the Sunderban forests to be dating back to the early historic period, from 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD. Explorations in Govardhanpur and its surroundings in the Patharpratima block in South 24 Parganas district last month have resulted in finding about 500 antiquities from that period, as well as the early medieval period (7th to 9th century AD). Antiquities mostly comprise terracotta fragments, human and animal figure, different kinds of pots and bricks. These findings reinforce the argument that human habitation in the Sunderbans belongs to the early historic period. The Sundarbans: The Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering parts of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. More than two-third of the Sundarbans is in Bangladesh and the remainder is in West Bengal, India. The Sundarbans National Park is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve located in the Sundarbans delta in the Indian state of West Bengal. Sundarbans South, East and West are three protected forests in Bangladesh. This region is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger.

What: Human settlements in Sunderbans revealed to be Early Historic When: October 28, 2013 Who: Directorate of Archeology and Museums, Government of West Bengal Where: Govardhanpur, Patharpratima and South 24 Parganas areas