Archive · 15 Jan 2026
Archaeologists Uncover 10,000-Year-Old Civilization in Odisha
Archaeologists in India are digging carefully in the Bhimmandali mountains to find out if a very old civilization lived there 10,000 years ago.
They have found old stone tools and paintings on rocks.
The team is working slowly by hand to not damage anything.
The paintings show forests and how people lived long ago.
Local people want this place to be protected as a special heritage site.
Scientists are still testing to find out exactly how old these discoveries are.
Archaeologists are excavating the Bhimmandali mountains in Odisha, potentially uncovering a 10,000-year-old Stone Age civilization.
The ASI, Gangadhar Meher University, and INTACH have found stone tools and rock-cut paintings that may predate the Indus Valley Civilizations.
Excavation is done by hand to preserve the site, progressing about 1 centimeter per day.
Over 45 rock shelters contain inscriptions and paintings depicting prehistoric life using natural pigments.
Local residents and the Bhimmandal Sangha are advocating for the site to be declared a National Heritage Monument.
- Who
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Gangadhar Meher University, INTACH, local residents, Bhimmandal Sangha
- What
- Excavation of a potential 10,000-year-old Stone Age civilization site
- When
- Currently underway (specific start date not mentioned)
- Where
- Bhimmandali mountains, Redakhol, Sambalpur district, Odisha
- Why
- To uncover and preserve evidence of a prehistoric civilization and its artifacts
- Location
- Bhimmandali mountains, Redakhol, Sambalpur district, Odisha
- Excavation Team
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Gangadhar Meher University, INTACH
- Key Findings
- Stone blades, needles, scrapers, stone arrows, knives, spears, rock-cut paintings
- Excavation Method
- Hand digging, progressing about 1 centimeter per day
- Number of Rock Shelters
- Over 45
- Art Materials
- Natural pigments made from iron oxide, tree bark, and leaves
