By: SUBRAT KUMAR NAIK, BASANTA KUMAR MOHANTA, DEEPA NAIK, REESITA MOHAPATRA, MANU NAIK
The Baitarani River in Keonjhar district, northern Odisha, is known not only for its cultural and religious significance but also for its rich archaeological heritage. Ardei, one of the major tributaries of the Baitarani, originates from Bararach Hill in the Sidhamatha Reserve Forest. Prehistoric archaeological investigations in the lower Ardei basin have led to the discovery of numerous Paleolithic sites, consisting of 109 lithic artifacts belonging to the middle-late Pleistocene epoch. The artifacts were found on erosional surfaces and in exposed sections. Analysis indicates the use of quartz and quartzite from nearby sources as the primary raw materials for making various types of Paleolithic tools, such as choppers, cleavers, handaxes, scrapers, and flakes.
