Iron has always played a vital role in the life of human beings since time immemorial as it was used to make implements, tools and weapons. Recently the members of Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam, a group of archaeologists found the prevalence of iron making in Wanaparthy district’s Chityala village.

This significant discovery was made by Byroju Chandrasekhar and Dr. Byroju Shyamsundar in 14 acres of field where they found heaps of sludge – the waste left after production of iron. “We used magnets to test if the remains have iron,” Shyamsundar told India Narrative.

Following the examination of the sludge deposits, the KTCB members made enquiries from the villagers.

Sharing details of their investigation, Sriramoju Haragopal, Convener of organisation said: “We came to know in the past too farmers while ploughing and digging the land had found deposits of sludge. One of them, Madaram Jagapathi Rao revealed that his forefathers had found a 20-feet-wide brickwork which was probably used to make iron. Village elders had also found moulds used for melting iron, big pipes and clay pots and shells. Bricks which were 16 inches long, 8 inches wide and 6 inches thick also were unearthed by the farmers.”

Haragopal pointed out that “such bricks are unusual and were used to make furnaces for smelting the iron. These bricks, which have been found in other areas also, date back to more than 2,000 years.”

Historically, Haragopal said villages in this region in the past were known to be associated with the army as they produced iron used to make weapons. “This is also mentioned in the book ‘Telanganalo inumu-ukku parishrama’ by Dr. S. Jaikishan,” Haragopal remarked.

Haragopal pointed out that there was a village in the past known as “Ammaipalli” which means home to the Goddess Mammai. This goddess represented metals and metallurgy. People are known to worship the Mammai deity in Ganapuram Kammarigeri Shiva temple.

Based on the findings, investigation and available evidence, Haragopal informed India Narrative: “In all probability in Chityala iron ore deposits were there and it was used to make iron two thousand years ago.”