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Global News
a few seconds ago
- Global News
Indigenous group says ancient remains found at Toronto job site are missing
An Indigenous organization is threatening to stop all construction at a Toronto job site after discovering that ancestral remains stored in a dump truck for over a year are now missing. The Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI), representing the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, said it's threatening to halt construction activities on Withrow Avenue after feeling like its pleas to find the remains were ignored. The HDI claims the City of Toronto and its consultants withheld access to the remains and denied repeated requests for involvement. The remains were excavated from a site located in what is acknowledged as historic Haudenosaunee territory. 'We've been denied basic information, denied consultation and denied respect,' said Aaron Detlor, legal counsel for HDI. 'Now we have been told, in writing, that those remains are actually sitting in a dump truck. This is beyond negligent.' Story continues below advertisement Archaeological Services Inc. (ASI), the consultant hired by the city, has confirmed that the human remains were placed in a dump truck and removed from the site, though they have not disclosed where the remains were taken. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Withrow Avenue site sits on top of an ancient Indigenous village and is designated a burial site investigation zone, according to the release. A city plaque across the street even marks the area's significance. HDI says it never consented to the excavation or handling of the remains, which it says violates both Canadian and international law. Other archaeological firms reportedly declined to work on the site due to ethical concerns. HDI alleges ASI proceeded without the required free, prior and informed consent from the Haudenosaunee. The group is calling for the immediate return of the remains and an end to all archaeological activity on the site until its jurisdiction is fully recognized. It says it's prepared to take direct action if the city does not comply. 'The remains of Haudenosaunee ancestors must not be treated like trash,' the statement read. 'They must be returned to the Earth with ceremony and dignity, not treated like garbage.' The city said it plans on holding a news conference on the issue. The remains were first uncovered in January 2024 during routine utility work. Since then, the site has been fenced off under 24-7 security, with the city spending nearly $200,000 to monitor it. Yet, no formal excavation or repatriation process has begun. Story continues below advertisement Tanya Hill-Montour, the archaeology supervisor for Six Nations of the Grand River, has previously criticized the city's lack of urgency and transparency. Hill-Montour said if the remains were of a European settler, she felt there would be more urgency to see a resolution to the matter by now. City officials have cited weather delays and ongoing negotiations with First Nations as reasons for the slow progress. However, HDI maintains that Indigenous communities with rightful jurisdiction were excluded from decision-making. The conflict also highlights growing concern over Ontario's Bill 5, which gives provincial ministers the power to override heritage and environmental protections, raising fears that more Indigenous burial sites could be compromised. For now, HDI says it will act independently to investigate and protect its ancestors unless the city reverses course. 'Due to the appalling disregard shown by the City of Toronto, we must proceed with our own investigation,' the HDI said. — with files from Matthew Bingley
The Hindu
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
ASI completes restoration of Draksharamam temple
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has completed the restoration of the 9th-century Bhimeswara temple, built by the Eastern Chalukyas, at Draksharamam village in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. The Bhimeswara temple is a protected monument being conserved by the ASI. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha by Amalapuram MP G. Harish Balayogi, Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated on Monday: 'The Bhimeswara temple has been restored over the past four years beginning from 2021-22. The restoration includes conservation of Nivedhan sala, restoration of damaged flooring, chemical cleaning and pointing to ancient stone walls and ceiling inside goddess Manikyamaba temple'. Erection of stone apron around Somavarapu Mandapam, pointing to the inner prakara, chemical conservation to the main deity (Sivalingam), srichakra of goddess Manikyamaba have been completed, said Mr. Gajendra Singh.
The Print
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Keezhadi excavation report under review—Centre on ASI's tussle with archeologist
New Delhi: Speaking for the first time in Parliament on the Keezhadi excavation report controversy, the Modi government Monday informed the house that there was no question of rejecting any report, and due process was being followed on the findings at the site of the 8th Century BCE settlement. 'The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is fully committed to follow the law and due scientific process for releasing the accurate findings based on the excavation at Keezhadi,' Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Lok Sabha on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament. The Keezhadi excavation report has sparked a controversy involving the ASI and the Tamil Nadu government, with accusations of political interference and attempts to suppress Tamil heritage. The ASI requested revisions to the report submitted by senior archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna, who led the initial excavations, but he refused, leading to a clash with the central government. Tamil Nadu's Archaeology Minister accused the BJP-led central government of treating Tamils as second-class citizens, while the Union Minister for Culture stated that further scientific studies were needed. Show Full Article Keezhadi, near Madurai, has yielded significant archaeological findings, including evidence of a well-planned urban settlement dating back to the 8th century BCE, potentially older than previously believed. Excavations have unearthed artifacts such as pottery with Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, a literate society, and evidence of an urban planning system. In the Lok Sabha, T. Sumathy alias Thamizhachi Thangapandia, member of Parliament from Tamil Nadu, asked about the details of the specific deficiencies cited by the ASI leading to the rejection of Ramkrishna's report. Shekhawat replied that after duly verifying and incorporating the conclusions of experts in concurrence with the lead excavation Archaeologist, ASI releases an official report. 'Keezhadi excavation has been conducted under the aegis of ASI and a report of lead Archaeologist is under review,' he said, adding that the comments of experts have been shared with the lead archaeologist, which are still to be finalised. Weeks after the rejection, ASI had responded, saying the reports submitted by excavators are sent to various subject experts, who are requested to vet the reports for publication. 'Various alterations, as suggested by subject experts, are carried out by the excavators and resubmitted finally for publication. These are then published as Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India (MASI),' said ASI, adding that the Keezhadi excavator (Ramkrishna) has been communicated the suggestions of the experts for making necessary corrections in the draft report submitted by him, but he did not carry out the correction. Also read: Tamil Nadu is waging a new North-South clash of civilisations— Sivagalai to Keezhadi 'Missing details' Ramkrishna has been transferred 12 times in the last 21 years of his service in ASI. In June he was transferred just a month after the rejection of his report by ASI. Ramkrishna, in the 982-page report, classified Keezhadi into three periods: Pre-Early Historic (8th century BCE to 5th century BCE), Mature Early Historic (5th century BCE to 1st century BCE), and Post-Early Historic (1st century BCE to 3rd century CE). But the Parliamentary answer said, as per the experts suggestions, the nomenclatures of the three periods require change and the time bracket of the 8th century BCE to 5th century BCE given for period I is not justified at all. It also said that in the report, some details are also missing—a village map has to be redrawn, contour map, and images of graffiti. There was much political outrage after the Ramkrishna's report on Keezhadi was rejected. Many Tamil Nadu leaders and the Stalin-led DMK raised questions. 'Keezhadi is more than just mud and pottery, it serves as a mirror reflecting a 3,000-year-old Tamil civilisation that was urban, literate, and thriving long before the myths of the Ganges Valley,' said Stalin. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Journey of excavator Amarnath Ramakrishna who led Keezhadi dig & has seen 12 transfers in 21 yrs
New Indian Express
14 hours ago
- General
- New Indian Express
After two-decade wait, 400-year-old twin forts in Palamau set for facelift
RANCHI: The long-pending restoration of the historic twin forts located inside the Palamu Tiger Reserve has finally received a government go-ahead, ending an over two-decade wait marked by bureaucratic delays and forest clearance issues. According to PTR Deputy Director, Prajesh Kant Jena, a detailed project report for the conservation of the over 400-year-old forts, built by the Chero dynasty, has been prepared and is awaiting final inspection by agencies under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Inside in deep forests on the banks of the Auranga River around 30 km from Medininagar, the two forts — Purana Quila and Naya Quila — were built at the beginning of the Mughal period by the kings of Chero dynasty. 'All the hurdles, which were coming in the way of its restoration, have been cleared and the stakeholders have already given a go-ahead to the project,' said Jena. Now, they have to find out a proper party or agency which can do justice to this cultural heritage, he added.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
CBI to investigate irregularities in ASI epigraphy project
HYDERABAD: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has formally written to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Bengaluru unit, requesting a probe into alleged irregularities involving several public servants in connection with the digitisation of estampages at the epigraphy branch in Mysuru. The letter, dated July 11 and signed by ASI additional director general and chief vigilance officer Madhukar, lists a series of issues that were flagged for investigation following internal findings and a prior vigilance inquiry. ASI noted that with the approval of the competent authority, the matter was now being referred to CBI for further action under Section 17-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Specific issues flagged include assigning buyer and consignee duties to unauthorised personnel, placing repeated purchase orders to Hirachi Enterprises, and reimbursing 2.4 lakh to four officials for direct purchases made outside the standard procedures. ASI noted that plywood worth 1.65 lakh was procured to house camera equipment used in digitisation work, and accommodations rented for official purposes were used to carry out the digitisation activity. Another concern raised pertains to the private agency, Dronacharya Seva Sansthan, allegedly failing to deposit EPF contributions of labourers engaged in project, even as payments were released to agency without verification. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A genetic disorder that is damaging his organs. Help my son Donate For Health Donate Now Undo The sequence of events dates back to 2022 when a Telangana-based photojournalist, D Ravinder Reddy, approached the HC over the cancellation of a work order related to the digitisation of nearly one lakh estampages - manual paper copies of inscriptions - stored at ASI's epigraphy branch in Mysuru. Norms flouted to favour foreign firm: HC According to court proceedings, ASI had initially floated a tender on the GeM platform for a project valued at 1.5 crore. Ravinder Reddy, who has over three decades of experience in photo documentation, emerged as the lowest bidder and was invited to Mysuru for a demonstration. However, the tender was cancelled, and the contract was later awarded to a Netherlands-based firm, PIQL, at an cost of 5.61 crore. The HC set aside ASI's revised work order and directed that the contract be awarded to the next eligible bidder. The HC observed that norms were flouted to favour the foreign firm. Following the verdict, several officials from ASI were transferred amid suspicion of irregularities, and an internal vigilance probe was ordered.
