A shroud of mystery hangs over the artefacts that were allegedly carted off from the controversial excavation site at Old Goa. But instead of tracking them, the police have reportedly now started investigating a complaint against the activists who have been relentlessly protesting against the ‘unauthorised activity’ at the site. It is learnt that the police action came after the Department of Tourism filed a complaint against the activists for spreading what they claimed were ‘rumours and misinformation’ about the project under the Central Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) Scheme.
The questions that arise are: were Portuguese-era cannonballs not found at the site? Are they also not artefacts of historical importance? It is pertinent to note that only after the activists reportedly highlighted that the excavation had thrown up old cannonballs at the site, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stepped in and work was stopped. Cannons were a characteristic feature of the forts built by the Portuguese in Goa, and cannonballs were used as ammunition to fire at ships in the sea with devastating effect. Old Goa served as the administrative centre of Portuguese India for over two centuries, and there could be several artefacts buried in the ground.Such sensitive areas cannot be excavated using bulldozers and heavy machinery. Excavations can reveal evidence of past settlements, tools, pottery, and other cultural remains. Archaeological excavations provide invaluable information about human history, culture, and the evolution of societies. Soil is carefully removed in layers, and artefacts and features are documented and collected. Every detail, including the location, context, and nature of the finds, is meticulously recorded. After excavation, artefacts and data are analysed to reconstruct the past. It may be recalled that hundreds of protesters had staged a protest in Old Goa recently, objecting to the large-scale felling of trees and excavation work at the site using heavy machinery, which is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. And what about the whereabouts of the cannonballs that were found at the site?
