Bhubaneswar: Traces of an early period civilisation have resurfaced in Kuakhai riverbed near Cuttack with the discovery of several archaeological remains by a team led by co-convener of INTACH’s Cuttack chapter Deepak Kumar Nayak. The remnants of an old settlement that once flourished near Balimangala Devi Pitha, near Uttampur village under Cuttack Sadar block have resurfaced recently in a large area spread over the dunes about 200 metres from the present embankment. The INTACH team found a large number of fragmented pieces of redware, blackware, grey ware, rings of mud well and bone pieces from a small mound-like structure inside the river.
Pieces of sculpted images that were unidentifiable were also discovered. According to Nayak, the site has a lot of historical significance as it is situated midway between Barabati Fort and Chudangagada Fort in Barang. Similar pottery and ware have also been found in the ongoing excavation work being carried on inside Barabati Fort by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The type of potteries found are very much identical to those found in the excavated sites at places like Khalakatapatana, Manikapatana and Sisupalagada establishing that there has been significant maritime trade in the waterway of Kuakhai river in early centuries. According to INTACH Bhubaneswar chapter sources, the findings suggested that there was either a riverside port or a large settlement in the place that had been abandoned due to frequent flooding. A small-scale archaeological excavation in the riverbed is required to determine relevant history associated with these finds, they said, adding that INTACH will soon write to ASI and state Archaeology department to survey the area. Biswajit Mohanty of INTACH thinks that the remnants have resurfaced due to erosion of the riverbed due to rampant sand mining. Mahanadi and its delta system have rich archaeological remnants spread on its riverbed and banks, he claimed.
During INTACH’s recent comprehensive survey of the Mahanadi Valley, many new sites and heritage structures have been reported and documented. The report also had details of 63 submerged ancient temples in the Mahanadi which are being destroyed and vandalised by illegal sand mining, Mohanty said.
