The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which has been excavating a mound in the Tirimal village of Khordha, Odisha since 2021, has recently discovered new findings, shedding new light on the region's ancient Chalcolithic culture.
The excavation site has revealed a range of structural remains, including circular mud structures, rammed floors, mud walls, and post holes, providing valuable insights into the architectural practices of the time, states a post on social media by ASI. As per reports, the activity areas of the site and courtyards of the huts were found covered with red morrum (a type of gravelly, lateritic material, often used for surfacing minor roads).
The unearthed artifacts also offer a glimpse into the daily lives and technological advancements of the people who inhabited the area. This includes stone and iron celts, copper and bone points, semi-precious stone and terracotta beads, glass bangle fragments, terracotta animal figurines, hopscotches, sling balls, toy cart wheels, stone polishers, hammer stones, saddle fragments, and clay tablets.
The recovery of potsherds, encompassing red ware, grey ware, red-slipped ware, chocolate slipped ware, black and red ware, perforated and miniature handmade pots (crucibles), alongside other findings, suggests three distinct cultural phases from the top to lower levels of the excavations: the Early Historical, Iron Age, and Chalcolithic periods. These discoveries offer a chronological framework for understanding the region's cultural evolution, with the ongoing excavations expected to further illuminate the rich historical heritage of Eastern India.
Earlier on March 25, 2025, ASI took to Instagram to bring to light recent excavations at Kohla in the Vidarbha district of Maharashtra. Specifically, excavations were focused on two distinct areas, revealing the remnants of a secular brick structure dating back to the Vakataka period. Area 1 produced a diverse collection of Early Historical and Iron Age pottery, including red ware, black and red ware, micaceous red ware, and grey ware, alongside artifacts such as stone beads, iron objects, and animal bones.
Furthermore, the excavations uncovered lime-paved floors, wells, and a complete bovid skeleton, providing valuable insights into the daily life and practices of the people who once resided there.
In addition to these findings, the excavation brought to light circular bin platforms of varying sizes and a substantial collection of over 600 antiquities. These artifacts include beads of terracotta and stones, iron objects, ear-studs of terracotta and stones, arrowheads of iron and bone, hopscotches, and copper objects.