Bhubaneswar: Archaeological excavations at Bharati Huda in Jalarpur village of Cuttack have brought to light the remains of an organised rural settlement dating back approximately 3,500 to 4,000 years.
Preliminary findings indicate that the site represents a well-planned habitation from the proto-historic period of coastal Odisha. Archaeologists have uncovered circular mud structures, suggesting structured dwelling units and a settled community pattern.
Excavations have also yielded a range of artefacts, including diverse ceramic traditions, stone and bone tools, metal objects, and extensive faunal remains. The variety of pottery styles points to developed craftsmanship and possibly evolving cultural practices during the period, according to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Evidence of cultivated rice and mung beans, along with remains of domesticated animals and fish, indicates that the community sustained itself through a mixed subsistence economy. Farming, stock raising, hunting, and fishing appear to have formed the core of daily life, the ASI said in a post on X.
Experts believe the discoveries provide valuable insights into early settlement patterns, agricultural practices, and everyday lifeways in coastal Odisha during the proto-historic era. Further analysis is expected to shed more light on the region’s early socio-economic structures and cultural development.
