Karnataka archaeology dept classifies Lakkundi gold find as treasure, recommends one-fifth value reward to finder family

Exam-focused facts from the 27 January 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Karnataka’s Department of Archaeology, Museum and Heritage classified the gold ornaments recovered from a copper pot at Lakkundi in Gadag district as a treasure.
The ornaments weighed around 500 g and included rings, bracelet and a bangle.
Director Dr Shejeshwar R stated the ornaments are definitely more than 100 years old and thus qualify as antique treasure.
The department will recommend financial compensation equal to one-fifth of the treasure’s value to Ganagavva Basavaraja Ritti’s family who unearthed the pot during house modification.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) senior archaeologist Ramesh Mulimani had earlier said the ornaments were unlikely to be centuries-old buried treasure and suspected recent ancestral burial.