Prehistory of the Khairi–Bhandan River Basin, Northern Odisha

This book, “Prehistory of the Khairi–Bhandan River Basin, Northern Odisha”, provides a focused and original interpretation of prehistoric human occupation in one of Eastern India's most neglected but archaeologically-rich environments. Ecologically, the Khairi–Bhandan River basin is rich in archaeological context which is situated near Similipal Biosphere Reserve in Mayurbhanj district. The study explored the findings from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Neolithic period. Following a systematic approach to fieldwork with geo-coordinated mapping of sites and a typological study of lithic objects, the authors documents prehistoric sites with significant evidence for habitation. The study presents raw materials acquisition strategies, settlement patterns, and tool-making traditions of early human communities, which are placed in the broader narrative of Eastern Indian prehistory. It also shows research gaps that still persist, specifically in the predominantly untouched area of the Panchpir subdivision of Mayurbhanj and adds significantly to understanding of early human adaptation in riverine landscapes. A combination of disciplines, such as GIS mapping, morphometric analysis and stratigraphic documentation, the study of changing raw-material availability, adaptations, and settlement strategies across a number of geomorphological zones provides a rich narrative that also fills a significant gap in the knowledge of prehistoric Odisha and contributes to the knowledge and discourse of an area of South Asia. The rigorous field evidence reveals a sense of respect and responsibility towards, the archaeological landscape of Odisha. The book is an excellent resource to augment the growing field of literature on prehistoric archaeology in India. It focuses on the contexts of communities, ecological associations and associations of material culture as it encourages the reader to rethink our ancient human past and its rooting in the rivers, hills, and forests of Northern Odisha. As it is new yield on the understanding of prehistoric life-ways in a cross region linking the Chottanagpur plateau and the coast of Odisha, the book is an important document for students, researchers and academicians in Anthropology, Archaeology, History, Geology, Geography as well as the scholars of other allied discipline.