In a remarkable find, construction work for a house expansion in the heritage village of Lakkundi, Karnataka, led to the accidental unearthing of gold items valued between ₹60 and ₹70 lakh. The discovery, made during routine digging, quickly transformed the residential site into a point of significant archaeological interest.
Schoolboy's Honest Alert Leads to Discovery
An eighth-standard student was the first to spot the glittering objects inside a copper pot excavated from the ground. Demonstrating remarkable integrity, the boy immediately informed the village elders, who then alerted the police and higher authorities. Gadag Superintendent of Police Rohan Jagadeesh confirmed that officers and evaluators from multiple departments swiftly reached the location. The 22 gold items were taken into official possession for safekeeping and verification.
Why ASI Says It's Not 'Treasure'
Despite the high value, a senior Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) official clarified that the find does not legally qualify as 'treasure.' Superintending Archaeologist Ramesh Mulimani of the ASI Dharwad circle inspected the site a day after the discovery. He explained that the ornaments, many found in a broken condition, were likely a family hoard hidden by ancestors in the kitchen area, a common historical practice when homes lacked secure treasuries.
"This was a practice in the past, and what has been found now also seems to be the same thing," Mulimani told PTI. He added that determining the exact age of the ornaments is challenging because they are broken pieces of jewellery, unlike coins which could have been more easily dated to a specific historical period.
Gold in Safe Custody for Verification
Following the protocol for such discoveries, the 470 grams of gold, comprising necklaces, bangles, and earrings, has been moved to secure government custody. The items are currently held in a treasury for security and further expert examination. The government has taken formal possession of the hoard while the necessary legal and archaeological procedures are followed.
The incident highlights the rich, layered history of Lakkundi, a village already renowned for its exquisite Chalukyan-era temples and architectural heritage, where the past continues to surface in unexpected ways.
