Residents will be able to learn about human beings from the Neolithic Age at a site in Saran where the ancestors of modern man once lived.

The directorate of archaeology, under the art, culture and youth affairs department, has decided to set up a park at Chirand in Saran district, 70km northwest of Patna. Life-size sculptures at the park would depict human evolution and life in the Neolithic Age, also known as the New Stone Age.

Around Rs 7 crore would be spent to set up the park. Archaeologists, under the supervision of B.S. Verma, had discovered remnants of the Neolithic Age while excavating at the village 43 years ago. He had also carried out excavation at Vikramshila.

“The emergence of Homo sapiens and their evolution would be showcased in the park with the help of sculptures,” said Atul Verma, director, archaeology, art, culture and youth affairs.

He added: “We have decided to engage state-based artists for this project. We have decided not to use artists from outside the state because we want to give an opportunity to the artists of Bihar to showcase their skills.”

Students of College of Arts and Crafts, Patna, would also be engaged in the project. “At present, we are drafting the detailed project report. Very soon, we shall start working on the plan. At present, we are in talks with a Delhi-based firm that would work on this project,” said Verma.

Highlighting the salient features of the project, he said: “A 2-acre plot has been acquired for this purpose at Chirand near the mounds with the help of the district administration. We might expand the area later but now we are only focusing on developing the park.”

People visiting the park would get a chance to see the tools and other antique items related to the Neolithic period. “There would be models as well as art installations, which would depict how human beings discovered fire, wheels, pottery and hunting tools during Neolithic Age. We have decided to keep real tools used in the period at the park. These were found during excavations at the site in 1969-72,” said Verma.

Models of the flora and the fauna of the Neolithic period would also be exhibited at the park. “We have also decided to plant trees in the park that were found in the Neolithic period, such as palm trees and cacti. We have requested the forests department to provide us with these plants,” he added.

Verma said: “The park will be an educational experience as well as a fun tour. It will delight people who have an interest in pre-historic times and even those who don’t will be able to learn about the time.”

According to estimates of archaeologists and historians, the Neolithic Age began around 10,200BC in West Asia and ended around 4,500BC.