BHUBANESWAR: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Bhubaneswar wing has sought permission from the DG (Excavation and Exploration), Ministry of Culture to excavate the pre-historic mound discovered in Prachi valley near Niali in Cuttack. Archaeologists believe that traces of material remains found from the surface of the mound may date back to Chalcolithic or Copper age (4,000 to 5,000 years back).
Superintending Archaeologist (in-charge) of ASI DB Garnayak said the mound called ‘Bharati Huda’, located four kms from Niali town, is yet to be excavated and only the remains found on the surface have been explored in the last two days. Since the mound is located on 12 acres of land that is under possession of a local resident, the ASI has approached him for permission to excavate a portion of the land.
“No excavation can be done unless the owner of the land and DG grant permission and funds are sanctioned by the Ministry. We will soon submit a report on the material remains like animal bones and ceramic artefacts found from the surface of the five-metre high mound,” he said.
The site is located between Prachi river in the south and Tanla river in the north. The mound was first identified by Purna Chandra Das of Tampada village near Niali, who informed the ASI officials about it on Tuesday. Locals have been finding small pottery remains from the spot for some years now.
He said while it was earlier believed that Prachi valley was popular for sculptural and temple remains, it is for the first time that remains of a possible human civilisation that existed before Ashokan (Mauryan) period have been found in the valley. Remains of human civilisation were earlier seen in Mahanadi valley in Western Odisha during excavations in the early 1990s.
Apart from ceramic pottery items that hold resemblance to those recovered from Chalcolithic sites like Golabai and Suabarei, polished stone tools, sharp animal bones and faunal remains have been found from the mound.