2,500 yrs ago,a city bigger than Athens in Orissa

I just read an article on front page of newspaper today about an excavation work that has been carried out at Orissa,and also they had come up with some interesting facts.Facts about a city that flourished in Orissa about 2,500 years ago,a city which had a much more greater population than the classical Athens.So i didnt able to stop myself and without wasting time, i searched about the matter and tried to compile up some best facts for my readers.The team of researchers began there excavation work at this site just 2 years back.So just start reading and get to know about this biggest city of history.

Researchers involved in excavation at the ancient city of Sisupalgarh on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar have come across a number of artefacts and structures that throw light on the existence of a flourishing urban life during the pre-historic period.

The geophysical research showed large-scale patterns of subsurface architecture such as streets, which were visible linking the gateways in the interior of the site, and a large ancient perimeter area around the pillar zone,confirmed the researchers, from Pune based Deccan College and University Of California.

These researchers, with the help of students from different universities and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), began their work in 2000, about 50 years after the first excavation.

After several deep trenches, they have now exposed 18 previously unknown pillars and several associated structures on a mound within the fortification wall.

Sisupalgarh was absolutely visible through naked eyes as well as from the space and this could be one of its kinds of cultural heritage in the whole of eastern India.

According to this researchers, this place was ruled under one ruler and the ancient population inhabiting the place was estimated to be 25,000,which was much more greater in number then the classical ATHENS,that also had only 10,000 peoples.Even they they said that,the civilisation could have lasted for more than 1,000 years between 3rd BC and 3rd AD.

During there excavation work near "Majestic Gate",which was also excavated in the year 1950 by some other researchers,they found house foundations of laterite block architecture.Even the habitation areas that they had excavated,also contained very large quantities of household pottery such as bowls and jars along with other household artefacts such as iron nails and terracotta ornaments including bangles, finger rings, pendants and ear spools.

The latest debris deposits and 18 pillars are the indications, that it was meant for some public use like public gatherings etc.Researchers are suggesting, that the artisans at Sisupalgarh were manufacturing potteries massively and those were in rapid use.

Another important suggestionby researchers is that the people, animals and trash were closely integrated in the crowded space of the city. Moreover, they might have practised the same wasteful consumption which is witnessed in the modern day cities.

However still they trying to gather some more relevant data to find out the reasons behind the destruction of this huge city.And am really getting too curious to know about the reasons which were behind the destruction of this beautiful city.Along that there many other facts also on which the work is still going on at that area, and surely sooner they would come up with some more amazing facts.

Source: TOI, The Hindu
Compiled By:Saurav Chakraborty

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