Pune Archaeologists Trace Historic Deccan Commerce

Pune: Archaeological researchers from a Pune-based institution have identified fresh evidence indicating that the Kotul settlement in neighbouring Ahmednagar district functioned as an important trade corridor during the Satavahana period. The discovery offers new understanding of early regional commerce, settlement planning and agricultural systems, while highlighting the importance of conserving heritage landscapes alongside modern infrastructure and urban expansion.

The findings emerge from preliminary excavations undertaken by researchers at Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, at the Kotul archaeological site in the upper Mula River basin. Situated near the foothills of Kalsubai and close to the administrative boundaries of Ahmednagar, Nashik, Pune and Thane districts, the settlement occupies a geographically strategic location that is believed to have connected major commercial centres during the Satavahana era between the first century BCE and the third century CE. Researchers believe the settlement formed part of a wider inland trade network linking important urban centres such as Junnar and Nashik. These routes supported the movement of agricultural produce, manufactured goods and commodities that eventually reached western coastal ports, strengthening the Deccan’s economic significance during one of its most active periods of regional trade.

Excavation at the Kotul archaeological site uncovered remains of residential structures, with much of the surviving architecture dating to the medieval period, indicating continued occupation over several centuries. Archaeologists also recovered red ware and black ware pottery, terracotta beads, bangles, fragments of human figurines, a terracotta ball, a metal coin and animal skeletal remains. Together, these discoveries provide valuable evidence of domestic life, craftsmanship and settlement continuity. The investigation also sheds light on the area’s agricultural economy. Botanical remains recovered from the site suggest that ancient communities cultivated rice alongside several millet varieties, including foxtail and sawa millet, while protein-rich pulses such as black gram, green gram, horse gram and field pea formed an important part of local diets. Seeds of Indian jujube further indicate the use of native plant resources within the settlement landscape. Urban historians note that archaeological studies of historic trade corridors contribute to modern planning by revealing how earlier communities adapted to river basins, transport routes and natural resources. Such knowledge is increasingly relevant as rapidly growing cities seek to balance infrastructure development with heritage conservation and climate resilience. Protecting culturally significant landscapes also supports sustainable tourism, academic research and regional identity without compromising future growth.

The project additionally employed drone-based aerial surveys and GPS-enabled mapping to produce a high-resolution three-dimensional digital model of the site. Digital documentation not only preserves fragile archaeological records but also enables future research without extensive physical intervention. As investigations continue, researchers expect further scientific analysis to refine understanding of the settlement’s economic role and cultural evolution. The study reinforces the value of integrating archaeological preservation into regional development strategies, ensuring that expanding urban regions safeguard their historical assets while building resilient and sustainable communities.

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Pune Archaeologists Trace Historic Deccan Commerce