SAMBALPUR: A major archaeological excavation at Purunagarh in Sambalpur’s Rairakhol subdivision has unearthed evidence of an ancient urban settlement, a thriving iron-smelting industry and continuous human habitation spanning from prehistoric times to the early medieval period, shedding new light on Odisha’s early civilisation and technological heritage.
The findings emerged from an excavation which is being undertaken by the School of History of Gangadhar Meher University (GMU).
The excavation began on May 10 and so far, a wide range of artefacts, including prehistoric stone tools, chalcolithic stone axes, beads, pottery fragments, grinding stones, sharpening stones, stone celts and other household objects have been unearthed. Experts said these discoveries indicate that the settlement remained active across different periods of history and witnessed sustained human habitation.
One of the remarkable discoveries is the enormous quantity of iron slag recovered from the excavation area. Thousands of fragments of iron slag have been found scattered across the site, pointing to the existence of a large-scale iron-smelting industry at the site. Researchers have also identified remains of an industrial complex or workshop that may have been used for iron production and processing.
In addition, several pottery kilns and buried ceramic vessels have been unearthed, pointing to organised habitation patterns and specialised craft activities. Experts believe these findings collectively indicate that Purunagarh was not merely a rural settlement but a prominent urban centre closely associated with traditional metallurgical practices.
Head of GMU’s History department and excavation director Atul Kumar Pradhan said the primary objective of the excavation is to establish the cultural sequence of the Rairakhol region. Another important aim is to study the traditional iron-smelting technology and metallurgical knowledge that once existed here. Moreover, understanding the antiquity of the settlement and tracing the origin and development of urbanisation in the region are among the major goals of the excavation.
“We had started exploration of Rairakhol region around two years ago. Though there are at least 40 such sites around Rairakhol, we decided to start excavation from Purunagarh,” Pradhan added.
Located on the banks of Kerandi river, a tributary of Mahanadi, Purunagarh had long remained unexplored despite the region’s rich archaeological potential. Researchers believe the site preserves an uninterrupted record of cultural developments spanning several historical phases.
Vice-chancellor of GMU Prof Byomakesh Tripathy said the discoveries provide strong evidence that Purunagarh functioned as an important urban settlement linked to iron production and craftsmanship. The findings open a new avenue for understanding the socio-economic and cultural history of western Odisha.
Archaeologists say the findings could help reconstruct the lost history of the Upper and Middle Mahanadi Valley region, known for preserving archaeological remains ranging from prehistoric tools and rock art to ancient settlements and temple architecture.