The Mizo Archaeological Society (MAS) has confirmed that ancient human skeletal remains recovered from Lamsial Puk, a cave near Farkawn village in Mizoram’s Champhai district, date back to the 18th century following scientific Carbon-14 analysis.
According to the society, a bone sample collected from one of the skeletons discovered inside the cave was sent to Beta Analytic Laboratory in Miami, Florida, for radiocarbon dating. The laboratory determined that the examined sample dates between AD 1729 and AD 1789, marking one of the first scientifically verified dates for human remains recovered from the historic cave.
MAS clarified that the analysis was conducted on only a single skeletal sample despite the presence of numerous human bones and skulls inside the cave. As a result, the findings should not be considered representative of all the remains at the site. The society said further scientific studies will be necessary to determine the age of the other skeletal remains.
The Carbon-14 dating was carried out with financial assistance from the Mizoram Art and Culture Department, which sanctioned Rs 1.5 lakh in 2023 for the study.
Located atop a massive rock formation near Farkawn village, Lamsial Puk is regarded as one of Mizoram’s most significant archaeological sites and has attracted the interest of researchers for its historical and cultural importance.
