ASI unearths around 4,000-year-old human settlement in Odisha

A significant archaeological discovery revealed that an organised village existed in Odisha nearly 3,500 to 4,000 years ago. The revelation comes from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) following excavations at Bharati Huda in Jalarpur village of Cuttack district, ASI sources said on Friday.

Also Read: 10,000-year-old buried city in Odisha! ASI begins survey

Excavation work uncovered remains of a well-structured rural settlement, including circular mud structures, traditional pottery, stone and bone tools, and traces of metal objects. Archaeologists also found evidence of rice and green gram cultivation, along with remains of animals and fish.

Further analysis suggests the settlement had a thriving economy based on agriculture, animal husbandry, hunting, and fishing. The findings offer valuable insights into early habitation systems and everyday lifestyles in prehistoric coastal Odisha.

This discovery sheds light on organised community living and socio-economic practices that existed in the region thousands of years ago.

Taking to its official ‘X’ handle, the ASI said, “Excavations at Bharati Huda, located in Jalarpur village of Cuttack, Odisha, have revealed the remains of an organised rural settlement dating to approximately 3,500-4,000 years before present.”

“Findings include circular mud structures, diverse ceramic traditions, stone and bone tools, metal objects, and extensive faunal remains. Evidence of cultivated rice and mung, along with animal and fish remains, indicates a subsistence economy based on farming, stock raising, hunting, and fishing, offering valuable insights into early settlement patterns and everyday lifeways in the proto-historic period of coastal Odisha,” the ASI added.

Worth mentioning, a probable 10,000-year-old human settlement buried beneath the soil of Rairakhol in Odisha’s Sambalpur district had drawn the attention of the ASI. Following the discovery of significant prehistoric stone carvings, ASI had launched an extensive survey on January 8 to uncover the truth behind these ancient remnants.

In the Rairakhol region of Sambalpur, rock carvings and other artefacts had been found at 42 locations across Bhima Mandali, Raila, Landimal, and Luhapanka panchayats, including the protected forests of Chhatagada and Brahmani.

These carvings primarily depicted the animals and birds, pointing to early human artistic expression. Experts believed the artworks date back to nearly 10,000 years.