Panaji, Sep 17 (IANS) A historic one-metre-long stone slab with carvings of battle scene, dating back to the late 13th century, has been stolen from a remote village in north Goa. Only a museum could have stolen it, an archeology official said here Friday.

The state government has launched an investigation into the disappearance of the stone slab belonging to the late Kadamba period from Nagve village in north Goa. Nagve is 50 km from here.

"We have started a probe into the incident. It is possible that a museum might have stolen the slab," M.S. Deshpande, assistant superintending archaeologist at the state department of archives and archaeology, told IANS.

The stone slab locally known as "Veer gal" was erected in memory of a local hero who sacrificed his life in a battle.

Local villagers worshipped the slab as an object of strength and valour.

"The stone slab also had a funeral scene which showed the unsung hero's body with his wife poised to jump onto her husband's pyre," conservationist and wildlife activist Rajendra Kerkar said.

The slab was last seen near Nagve village by a group of trekkers about a fortnight ago.

No case has been registered.