In a notable find, a collaborative research team from Government Autonomous College, Sundargarh, and the Puri Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has identified Middle Palaeolithic stone tools and artifacts in Deogarh district, suggesting human activity in the area approximately 70,000 years ago.

The discovery occurred at the base of a small hillock near the OSRTC bus stand in Reamal tehsil, where excavation for a bypass road project was in progress. Construction workers initially spotted the unusual stones, prompting experts to investigate further.

A team led by ASI superintendent DB Gadnayak, along with researchers Sakir Hussain and Jayashankar Naik, assessed the site and confirmed the stones’ classification as belonging to the Middle Palaeolithic period. “The artifacts were found both embedded within stratified layers and scattered across the surface, likely exposed due to the removal of laterite soil,” the experts stated.

The materials collected include handaxes, evallois cores and flakes, awls, scrapers, picks, discoids, and other sharp-edged tools utilized for hunting, meat cutting, and digging. Experts noted that these tools closely resemble typical Middle Palaeolithic assemblages, indicating a sophisticated tool-making culture.

These findings imply that human presence and activity in the region began much earlier than previously recorded, adding a significant chapter to Odisha’s prehistoric narrative. Archaeologists believe that the site has great potential for further exploration, which could provide insights into early human diet, survival strategies, and settlement patterns.