In the Cuttack district of Odisha, a rural settlement dating back roughly 3600 years was situated at a location named Bharati Huda in Jalalpur village. A series of archaeological discoveries and studies carried out by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 2018 provided evidence for this ancient civilization’s existence. The age of the settlement was determined using radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples found on the site by the Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in New Delhi through a technique known as Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS).
Unveiling the Chalcolithic Culture
Mud structural remains, potsherds, ground and polished stone tools, bone tools, terracotta objects, beads made from semi-precious stones, faunal remains, and carbonized grains were among the findings by ASI at Bharati Huda. The cultural artefacts bear a significant resemblance to those found at other excavated sites in the Mahanadi delta like Golabai Sasan and Suabarei, indicating the spread of Chalcolithic culture in this region.
Economy of the Ancient Settlement
The evidence collected suggests that the inhabitants were engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. Traces of domesticated varieties of rice and jute, signs of domesticated cattle, and a terracotta bull figurine corroborate these activities.
Religious Beliefs and Practices
Findings indicate that sun worship, a form of nature worship, was prevalent in this ancient society, as evidenced by a Sun motif discovered on a pottery piece. This religious practice is believed to have dated back to 1099 BCE in the Prachi valley.
Social Dynamics and Ethnicity
The ASI excavation reveals the possibility of the existence of separate ethnic groups during the early Chalcolithic period. There is also evidence of a new class of ethnic group coming into contact with the rural settlers at Bharati Huda during the mature phase of Chalcolithic culture.
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Chalcolithic Period | The term ‘Chalcolithic’ originates from the Greek words ‘chalcos’ (copper) and ‘lithos’ (stone). The period, spanning from around 2500 BC to 700 BC, marked the production of tools and equipment using both metal and stone. |
| Radiocarbon Dating | A radiometric dating method that uses the naturally occurring radioisotope carbon-14 (14C) to estimate the age of carbon-bearing materials up to about 58,000 to 62,000 years old. |
| Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) | A highly sensitive method of counting atoms, AMS is often used to detect very low concentrations of natural isotopic abundances. |
| Inter University Accelerator Centre | The first Inter-University Centre to be established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1984. It aims to establish world-class facilities for accelerator-based research within the university system. |
Conclusion
From the cultural similarities, economic activities, religious practices to the social dynamics, the findings provide a detailed insight into the life and times of the people living in the Chalcolithic culture in Bharati Huda, shedding light on a significant piece of India’s ancient history.