ZIRO, 4 Oct: Lower Subansiri deputy commissioner Oli Perme stressed the importance of combining scientific archaeology with oral history to protect and preserve Arunachal Pradesh's cultural legacy.
The DC, who led an official delegation to Bamin Michi village to inspect the historic Piichang Putu archaeological site and the Pamu Yalang Viewpoint on Sunday, called for community participation to promote Ziro as a premier destination for sustainable eco-tourism.
She lauded the Pamu Yalang Welfare Committee for their dedication to preserving local heritage.
The visit focused on reviewing ongoing site preservation efforts, evaluating historical finds, and strategizing eco-tourism infrastructure to support sustainable development while safeguarding the valley's ancient heritage.
The Piichang Putu archaeological site, situated at Nami Tanyang within Bamin Michi village holds deep historical significance as an ancient pottery production hub traditionally run by Apatani women artisans. Explorations and excavations conducted by the Directorate of Research in collaboration with the Pamu Yalang Welfare Society have uncovered primitive handmade cord-marked potsherds, terracotta coins, iron implements (dinko and dao), hematite and glass beads, charcoal fragments, and ancient structural timber posts.
Scientific AMS radiocarbon dating performed by Beta Analytic Inc. (Miami, USA) places human settlement and artisanal craft activity here across three distinct occupational phases: 5th to 7th Century AD (Phase I), 16th Century AD (Phase II) and 18th Century to mid-20th Century AD (Phase III), where traditional pottery production continued until around 1950.
Following the archaeological review, the delegation toured the sacred Pamu Yalang Viewpoint (Hawk's Rock), nestled atop the hills. Deeply rooted in Apatani oral traditions and local cultural identity, the viewpoint offers an expansive 360-degree panorama of the Ziro Valley, making it a natural focal point for community-led eco-tourism and heritage conservation.
The team was guided throughout the visit by Pamu Yalang Welfare Committee chairman and Bamin Baro and its secretary Bamin Tajang. (DIPRO)
