Bhubaneswar: Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday visited the ancient Asurgarh archaeological site near Barpali in Bargarh district and took a first-hand look at the remains and artefacts unearthed during excavations at the site which is believed to be nearly 2,000-years-old.Pradhan visited the site along with officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and students from Gangadhar Meher University (GMU). He interacted with officials and students and discussed the archaeological findings of the ancient settlement.Asurgarh is considered an important early historic archaeological site in western Odisha. The fortified settlement has yielded evidence of ancient habitation, including pottery, coins, terracotta objects, beads, iron implements and other material remains. Its fortification and moat system point to a settlement with a developed defensive and water management network.In a post on X after the visit, Pradhan described Asurgarh as a unique repository of state’s rich culture and civilisation. He said the Sambalpur region had several historical and archaeological remains comparable, in terms of their significance as sources of ancient civilisation, to sites such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.He said research at such sites should be taken forward through collaborative efforts involving the ASI, GMU and local educational institutions. Bringing Odisha’s ancient heritage into wider public discourse, he said, would help foster a greater sense of history among students while also promoting tourism and contributing to the economic development of the region.Pradhan also stressed the need to preserve the archaeological heritage and pass it on to future generations, describing it as a collective responsibility. Pradhan had in 2022, written to the then Tourism and Culture Minister G Krishan Reddy for directing ASI to take over excavation and preservation of the Asurgarh site following its discovery by the researchers of GM University.
