Mumbai Museum Corrects Historical Oversight with Major Stone Age Exhibition
In a significant move to address long-standing neglect, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Mumbai has inaugurated a groundbreaking exhibition dedicated to Indian pre-history. Titled 'The Stone Age: Journey Through Time', this long-awaited extension of the 'Networks of the Past' gallery represents a deliberate course-correction for a museum sector that has traditionally marginalized or confined pre-historic displays to compact spaces.
A New Chapter for Shared Human History
The Stone Age, marking the first and longest chapter of shared human history, is now receiving its due prominence. The gallery will remain open to visitors for the next three years, displaying some of the world's earliest tools and weapons. "We are proud of our roots, but we never highlight them," stated Sabyasachi Mukherjee, director-general of CSMVS. He expressed a clear ambition to position pre-historic India on the global history map, noting that "India, being one of the earliest civilisations, was not highlighted enough as compared to other civilisations. That was the whole idea behind coming up with this exhibition."
Ancient Artifacts and Global Collaborations
The exhibition features remarkable artifacts that trace human development across millennia. According to Aparna Bhogal, curator in-charge of the archaeology section, the oldest item on display is a chopping tool or "chopper" from Olduvai gorge in Tanzania, crafted by Homo habilis nearly 2.5 million years ago in Africa. Other highlights include:
- A pear-shaped hand-axe from Karnataka
- An obsidian blade from Mesoamerica
- Various knives and scrapers from Maharashtra and Sindh
The exhibition is thoughtfully organized into three main chronological stages:
- Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age)
- Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)
- Neolithic (New Stone Age)
These tools and weapons collectively reveal insights into early human adaptability, migration patterns, group dynamics, consumption habits, and trade networks.
Evidence of Early Artistic Expression
A particularly fascinating artifact is a plaquette from France, obtained through collaboration with the British Museum. This piece features superimposed drawings and signs depicting a reindeer and three horses, serving as compelling proof of early human artistic expression. The exhibition further enhances this theme by displaying prehistoric cave paintings, with visitors greeted by a descriptive diorama of the renowned Bhimbetka paintings.
Inaugural Ceremony and Broader Initiatives
The inauguration ceremony featured archaeologist and art historian Arvind Jamkhedkar, chancellor of Sir JJ De Novo Deemed University, as chief guest. He conducted a special masterclass on archaeology and pre-historic influences on contemporary perceptions of culture and art. Jamkhedkar emphasized that at the heart of this initiative lies a "cardinal yearning: understanding our place in human history."
Beyond the Stone Age exhibition, CSMVS also unveiled an Assyrian gallery containing relics from Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq and surrounding regions) and objects from Egypt, including the only known mummy in Mumbai. These displays have been made possible through strategic global partnerships, including collaborations with the British Museum and Getty's Sharing Collection Program.
This comprehensive exhibition represents a transformative moment for Indian museums, finally giving pre-historic India the expansive, detailed presentation it deserves while fostering international cultural exchange and historical understanding.
