From Stone to Settlement: Investigating the Prehistoric Cultures of Barapahad Hill and Jhaun River Valley

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Earlier Archaeological Inquiry of Bargarh Upland. 3. Archaeological Exploration, Site Distribution and Material Culture of Jhaun River Valley and Barapahad Hill. 4. Techno-Typological Analysis of Jhaun River Valley and Barapahad Hill. 5. Conclusion. References. Plates.

This book presents the definitive outcomes of systematic archaeological explorations conducted in Bargarh District, rounded within the broader framework of Indian located in the culturally dynamic region of Western Odisha. Conceptually grounded prehistoric scholarship, the work reflects methodological rigor, meticulous field documentation and critical analytical interpretation. Through sustained and carefully structured surveys, numerous archaeological sites have been identified, documented and contextualized, delineating a continuous cultural sequence from the Palaeolithic to the Neolithic periods. The evidence assembled in this study substantially enriches our understanding of early human occupation in the Middle Mahanadi basin and its adjoining upland tracts. Situated within the wider discourse of Indian archaeology, the study foregrounds the regional specificity of Western Odisha while integrating its archaeological record into broader subcontinental trajectories. In doing so, it addresses critical questions concerning cultural continuity, technological transitions, and patterns of mobility that characterize the prehistoric landscape of eastern India. The analytical framework adopted herein underscores the importance of regional studies in refining macro-level models of prehistoric development across the Indian subcontinent. By consolidating extensive field data with interpretative insight, this work aspires to function as an authoritative reference for scholars, students, and researchers engaged in the study of Odisha's Prehistory.