In a rare discovery, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has found a piece of broken sculpture and many other ancient artifacts dating back to the medieval era during excavations at the historic 10th-century Barabati fort in Odisha’s Cuttack district.
Superintending archaeologist for the ASI's Puri district, Dibishada Brajasundar Garnayak, told Indian media that the relic possibly dates back to the 13th or 14th century.
After a break of 15 years, the excavation work on the remains of the pillared hall of the fort resumed on Monday.
The ASI identified four areas in the fort for excavation and created a trench to start digging.
"The trench appears to have two to three metres of deposits and the sculptural fragment was dug from the spot," he said.
The experts revealed that some of the important relics found during the excavation of the site included a seated goddess, a lion-head, lamp fragments, balls and pot fragments of stone, sling balls, fragments of animal figurines of terracotta, and an axe and a stylus made of iron.
The pottery finds consisted of storage jars, spouted vessels, lamps, knobbed lids, miniature pots, dishes and bowls, the final portion of a hookah [water pipe], and pieces of Chinese porcelain.
Broken Relics Found During Excavation At Historic Barabati Fort in Odisha
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What is the history of Barabati Fort?
To protect Cuttack from external threats, King Markata Keshari of the Somavamshi dynasty built Barabati Fort, a stone embankment, in 987 CE.
In 1989, the ASI started excavations at the fort site, including the moat area and other ruins. The fort was last excavated in 2007 to establish the cultural chronology of the fortified fort.
In 1915, the Barabati Fort was declared an ASI-protected monument.