Discovered mysterious giant jars in India

Researchers have discovered many "mysterious" giant jars in India that may have been used in ancient burial customs.

A total of 65 sandstone jars of different shapes and sizes have been found scattered across four locations in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, BBC reported on March 31.

Some of the jars are tall and cylindrical, protruding from the ground, while others are partially or fully buried in the ground.

Previously, similar artifacts have also been found in Laos and Indonesia.

Details of the new finding - involving researchers from three universities in India and Australia - are published in the Journal of Asian Archeology this week.

The study was led by experts Tilok Thakuria (North-Eastern Hill University) and Uttam Bathari (Gauhati University).

'We still don't know who made these giant jars or where they live,' said team member Nicholas Skopal (Australian National University) - said.

While it is not yet known exactly what the giant jars were used for, the researchers suggest that they are "likely associated with burial activities".

Newly discovered jars are empty inside.

'There are stories from the Naga people (an ethnic group in northeastern India) about finding Assam jars filled with remains, beads and other artifacts,' Mr Skopal said.

Dr Thakuria told the BBC that the newly found jars were completely empty and that they may have had a lid.

'The next step in this project is to excavate and document the characteristics of the jars,' said Dr Thakuria.

The researchers confirmed similar sites have been discovered in Assam and neighboring Meghalaya state.

So far, about 10 sites containing more than 700 jars have been found in Assam, Dr. Thakuria said. The researchers believe that these jars date back to before 400 BC.

The area searched in Assam is only limited, and scientists believe there are still many more sites to be discovered.

Similar jars were found in Laos in 2016 in Xieng Khouang province, estimated to be at least 2,000 years old.

'The size and structure of the jars found in Assam and Laos are very similar. However, there are some variations in shape and size. The jars in Assam are somewhat rounder, while the ones in Laos are more cylindrical,' Mr Skopal said.