Trade spot, Rome connect: What archaeologists found in a Maharashtra village

Archaeologists working at Kotul village in northern Maharashtra have uncovered evidence of a significant trade settlement from the Satavahana period, revealing connections with ancient Rome and shedding light on the dietary practices of the region's inhabitants nearly 2,000 years ago. The discovery, led by Pandurang Sabale, professor in the Department of Archaeology at the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute in Pune, highlights the strategic importance of Kotul during this historical era. Located in Akole taluka within the Ahilyanagar district, Kotul lies nestled in the Sahyadri mountain range at the base of Kalsubai, the highest peak in the range. The village is surrounded by other notable hills such as Harishchandragad and Ratangad. Its name originates from the nearby Kotuleshwar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated near the Mula river. The site’s location on a key trade route linking Junnar and Nasik suggests it played a crucial role in regional commerce. The Satavahana dynasty, which governed vast areas of present-day Maharashtra, is believed to have been founded by a ruler named Satavahana, though some accounts refer to him as Simuka or Shishuka. Inscribed in the Maharashtri Prakrit language, a precursor to modern Marathi, the dynasty's records highlight their influence. Historians S.V. Ketkar and V.K. Rajwade suggest the Satavahanas might have followed a matrilineal system. Known for their adherence to Vedic traditions while embracing Buddhism, they contributed to the construction of Buddhist stupas. Sabale noted that Kotul functioned as a vital trade hub during the Satavahana era. Positioned near three hill passes and close to the Naneghat pass in Pune district, the village offered access to coastal ports along the Konkan coast. He estimated the settlement spanned approximately 1.5 kilometers in length and up to 0.75 kilometers in width. This size indicates a bustling community engaged in extensive commercial activity. Ancient trade networks linked Nashik and Junnar to regions as far as Kalyan, Ter, Machilipatnam-Vinukonda-Hyderabad, Paithan (then known as Prathisthan, the capital of the Satavahanas), Surat-Bharuch (referred to as Barigaza in ancient texts), and beyond. Ter, located in Dharashiv district, is recognized as one of Maharashtra's most richly documented archaeological sites. It appears in the writings of Pliny the Elder and the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a navigational guide. Sabale suggested that Kotul was part of a broader trade corridor extending from the Konkan region through Kolhapur, Karad, Shirwal, Lonavalla, Junnar, Otur, Kothul, Sinnar, and finally reaching Nashik. Along this route, travelers would have stayed in caves such as those at Bhaja, which served as temporary shelters. Access to the port of Bharuch was possible from Nashik, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of these trade centers. Excavations at Kotul have yielded Roman amphora fragments, typically used for storing wine, pottery, and other goods. These findings indicate potential direct trade links with Rome, suggesting either the consumption of imported wine or its transportation via this route. During the Satavahana period, the region's textiles, spices, ivory, and artifacts were highly valued in Rome and other distant markets. Among the other discoveries are pottery, terracotta figurines, terracotta balls, wheels, bangles, shell objects, semi-precious stones like carmelian and agate, bone items, a coin, and metal objects. Marine shells were also found, hinting at the villagers' interaction with maritime trade. The food remnants recovered include meat, rice, foxtail millet, sawa millet, black and green gram, and horse gram, offering insight into the diet of the region's inhabitants.