Archaeologists have begun excavations in Odisha’s Sambalpur district amid growing evidence that a Stone Age civilisation may be buried beneath the Bhimmandali mountains in Redakhol.
The Archaeological Survey of India started the dig after the discovery of rock-cut paintings and ancient tools, raising the possibility that the site could date back nearly 10,000 years.
Researchers involved in the investigation say the findings may predate the Indus Valley civilisations of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. While local traditions associate the area with the Mahabharata period, scientific teams from Gangadhar Meher University and INTACH are focusing on its prehistoric origins.
According to ASI Superintending Archaeologist DB Gadnayak, the excavation is being carried out with extreme care. Teams are digging manually instead of using heavy machinery to avoid damaging artefacts, progressing at a rate of roughly one centimetre per day.
Initial discoveries include stone blades, needles, and scrapers believed to have been used for leatherwork.
ASI team member Anil Swain said fragments of stone arrows, knives, and spears have also been recovered, noting that the tools are clearly ancient and not of modern origin.
The site contains more than 45 rock shelters featuring inscriptions and paintings created with natural pigments made from iron oxide mixed with tree bark and leaves. The artwork depicts forest life and daily activities, offering insight into how early inhabitants lived and recorded their experiences.
As carbon dating of the artefacts begins, local residents and the Bhimmandal Sangha have demanded that the area be declared a National Heritage Monument.