Unveiling Ancient Footprints: Archaeological Discovery in the Khairi-Bhandan River Basin of Odisha
Introduction
Nestled within the lush, biodiversity-rich Similipal National Park region of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha lies a prehistoric archaeological landscape that remained largely unexplored until recently. The Khairi-Bhandan River Basin, part of the Panchpir subdivision in Northern Odisha, has emerged as a significant site for understanding early human adaptation and technological development in eastern India. A comprehensive study presented by Samir Maharana, a PGDM student at the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya in Bhopal, has now shed light on this underexplored region, revealing the presence of prehistoric human settlements spanning from the Lower Paleolithic to the Neolithic periods.
Geographical and Geological Setting
Northern Odisha represents a natural extension of the Chotanagpur Plateau’s lowest step, characterized by a distinctive hilly and broken terrain that has shaped human settlement patterns for millennia. The region’s geographical significance is amplified by the presence of the Similipal National Park, located in the center of Mayurbhanj district. This protected area serves as a biogeographical bridge connecting the Chotanagpur region of the Deccan Peninsular plateau with the Mahanadi east coast area of the Oriental realm, creating a unique ecological zone that has sustained human populations throughout prehistory.
The geological foundation of this region is equally remarkable. The Similipal complex belongs to the Archaean age and rests upon ancient Singhbhum Granite and Banded Iron Formation (BIF). This geological complex comprises a volcano-sedimentary basin dominated by mafic volcanic rocks and quartzite, which became crucial raw materials for prehistoric tool manufacture. Key geological formations—including the Lulung Formation (quartzite-phyllite heterolith), Barehipani Formation (volcanic rocks with peridotite-gabbro), and Jurunda Formation (quartz arenite)—provided abundant sources of material that early human communities would exploit for crafting stone tools.
The region’s hydrography further enriched the landscape for prehistoric habitation. Several major rivers originate from Similipal National Park, including the Budhabalanga, Khadkhai, Deo, Palpala, Khairi, Bhandan, and Salandi. These river systems flow in various directions, creating fertile valleys and providing fresh water sources essential for sustaining human communities. The ecological wealth of the Similipal complex is evident in the recorded presence of 1,078 plant species, including 94 species of orchids, indicating a biodiverse environment that would have supported diverse subsistence strategies among prehistoric peoples.
The Research Gap and Its Significance
Despite the ecological and geological suitability of the Panchpir subdivision for prehistoric habitation, systematic archaeological research in this area was largely absent before the recent study. Panchpir, which encompasses the areas of Karanjia, Jashipur, and Thakurmunda, is strategically positioned at the northern fringe of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve. The presence of rocky outcrops, river valleys, and dense forests created ideal conditions for prehistoric settlement and resource exploitation.
However, while anecdotal evidence—such as microliths and habitation remnants discovered locally—suggested significant prehistoric activity, no formal archaeological investigations had been conducted. This absence left a substantial gap in Odisha’s prehistoric archaeological record and prevented a comprehensive understanding of regional human adaptation and cultural development during the Stone Age. The study addresses this critical lacuna by conducting systematic archaeological exploration and analysis of the Khairi-Bhandan River Basin.
Previous Research Context
The history of archaeological research in the broader Mayurbhanj region spans over a century. Early explorers and archaeologists, including Valentine Ball (1876), documented prehistoric materials from surrounding areas such as Angul, Talcher, Dhenkanal, and Sambalpur. Subsequent investigations by researchers like Paramananda Acharya (1923-24), B.K. Thapar (1961-62), and K.K. Basa (1984, 1994) contributed to understanding the region’s archaeological landscape. However, these efforts remained geographically scattered, with limited focus on the Panchpir subdivision. The new research by Samir Maharana builds upon this legacy while filling the geographical and methodological gaps left by previous work.
Research Objectives and Methodology
The primary objective of this research was to locate prehistoric sites within their various geological contexts to develop a comprehensive regional archaeological picture. Five specific research goals guided the investigation: understanding the geology, geomorphology, and geo-archaeology of the Khairi-Bhandan River basin; locating and identifying prehistoric raw material exploitation sites; developing a typological and technological understanding of lithic assemblages through statistical analysis; examining inter-regional and intra-regional variability in stone tool assemblages; and establishing relative chronological sequences for Stone Age cultures in the region.
To achieve these objectives, the research team employed a sophisticated multidisciplinary approach combining traditional archaeological fieldwork with modern geospatial technologies. Over two weeks of systematic exploration on foot across erosional surfaces and riverbeds, the team investigated possible areas of prehistoric habitation and tool-bearing layers. Documentation methods included GPS positioning with mobile GPS cameras, topographical sheet analysis at 1:50,000 scale, on-site photography of artifacts with geocoordinates, and three-dimensional photography with digital processing. Statistical analysis utilized MS-Excel and SPSS-20 software, while GIS mapping identified sites, locations, and drainage systems. This integration of conventional and contemporary techniques represents a modern standard in prehistoric archaeological research.
Key Archaeological Discoveries
The systematic survey identified ten significant archaeological sites within the Khairi-Bhandan River Basin: Jamda, Ramatirtha, Jaunriposi, Rugudi-1, Rugudi-2, K. Handabandha, Kadadiha-1, Kadadiha-2, Kaluakhaman, and Jethama. Collectively, these sites yielded 458 stone artifacts representing diverse technological traditions spanning multiple Stone Age periods.
The distribution of artifacts across these sites demonstrates variable intensity of human use and settlement patterns. Jethama produced the most artifacts (97 tools), followed by Kadadiha-2 (88 tools) and Rugudi-1 (65 tools), while other sites showed moderate to limited artifact densities. This variation reflects differential preservation, site visibility, and intensity of human occupation across the landscape.
Lithic Technology and Tool Typology
Analysis of the 458 artifacts revealed a sophisticated and diverse tool kit reflecting multiple technological traditions. Flakes dominated the assemblage at 52.0 percent, indicating a consistent flaking technology as the primary tool production method. Scrapers represented 13.8 percent of the collection, while blades accounted for 12.4 percent. Cores constituted 4.4 percent, along with hand axes. Specialized implements included choppers (3.1%), spearheads (1.3%), chisels (1.1%), points (0.9%), and rare elements such as crescents, ring stones, triangles, and arrow heads (each less than 0.2 percent). This typological diversity indicates adaptation to diverse subsistence activities and environmental conditions.
Notably, rare Neolithic tools hint at cultural transitions toward settled agricultural life and represent a significant phase in regional prehistory. The presence of both Lower Paleolithic implements (hand axes, choppers) and Microlithic tools (crescents, blades, points) within the same general region suggests occupation across an extended chronological span.
Raw Material Exploitation Strategies
The analysis of raw materials reveals sophisticated knowledge of local geology and strategic resource selection. Gray chert and quartzite each represented approximately 28.6 and 28.4 percent of the assemblage respectively, indicating these locally available materials were the primary choices for tool production. Quartz accounted for 20.1 percent, while black chert comprised 15.9 percent. Other materials included diorite (3.7%), banded chert (2.6%), with rare usage of crystal and sandstone (each 0.2 percent). This pattern demonstrates that prehistoric communities possessed intimate knowledge of local geological resources and deliberately selected materials based on specific technological and functional requirements.
Implications and Conclusions
The Khairi-Bhandan River Basin research reveals a complex, dynamic prehistoric landscape shaped by human adaptation and innovation over millennia. The technological diversity evident in the artifact assemblages—from Lower Paleolithic hand axes to Neolithic implements—reflects evolving strategies for resource exploitation and environmental adaptation. The region’s geological diversity, enriched in quartzite, chert, and quartz, and its ecological richness supported sustained prehistoric occupation, as evidenced by artifact distributions across multiple sites.
The study addresses a critical gap in Odisha’s prehistoric archaeological record, particularly regarding the Panchpir subdivision. By establishing archaeological connections between newly documented sites and previously researched locations across Northern Odisha, the research demonstrates cultural and geological continuity across the region. Furthermore, the findings suggest long-standing human-environment interaction patterns, connections that contemporary tribal ecological knowledge may illuminate through future ethnographic research.
Future Research Directions
This preliminary investigation establishes a foundation for expanded archaeological, ethnographic, and environmental research in the region. Future studies should include systematic excavation at promising sites to establish secure chronologies through radiocarbon dating and stratigraphic analysis. Detailed lithic technological studies employing refitting analysis and experimental archaeology could elucidate specific tool manufacture techniques and functional specializations. Integration of paleoenvironmental studies through pollen analysis and faunal remains would reconstruct ancient ecological conditions and subsistence patterns. Additionally, ethnographic documentation of indigenous and tribal communities’ ecological knowledge could create meaningful dialogue between ancient and contemporary human relationships with the landscape.
Conclusion
The systematic archaeological exploration of the Khairi-Bhandan River Basin in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, represents a significant advancement in understanding eastern India’s prehistoric heritage. Samir Maharana’s research successfully demonstrates that previously underexplored regions harbor rich archaeological evidence contributing substantially to broader narratives of human cultural development. As India continues to expand its archaeological investigations into remote and ecologically sensitive areas, studies such as this remind us that our ancient past remains embedded in the living landscape, waiting for scientific inquiry to reveal the stories of those who came before us. The region’s significance extends beyond academic interest—it reflects the deep historical roots of human presence in eastern India and the resilience of human communities in adapting to diverse environmental contexts. This research underscores the importance of sustained, multidisciplinary archaeological endeavor in recovering and interpreting the prehistoric past, enriching our collective understanding of human history and cultural heritage.
References
Maharana, S. (2025). Preliminary observation at the prehistoric site of Khairi-Bhandan River Basin, Mayurbhanj, Odisha. Presented at the National Conference, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal, September 6, 2025.
Basa, K.K., & Mohanty, P.K. (2000). General survey in archaeology: Kuliana. Journal of Archaeological Research, 8(2), 45-67.
Thapar, B.K. (1961-62). Archaeological studies in Northern Odisha. Indian Archaeological Survey Reports, 15, 102-118.
