Cuttack: In a rare discovery, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has found a piece of broken sculpture dating back to the medieval era during excavation at the Barabati fort in Odisha's Cuttack district. Official sources said the relic possibly dates back to the 13th-14th century.

publive-image

The ASI, which started excavation at the historic 10th century fort today, resumed the activity after a gap of 15 years in presence of superintending archaeologist Dr D Gadnayak.

As per reports, the AI commenced digging work at the site again to trace relations between Barabati fort and maritime trade relations with South East nations during the medieval period and will continue excavations in pursuit of relevant information in this regard.

Built in 987 CE by Markata Keshari of Somavanshi dynasty a stone embankment to protect Cuttack (Kataka) at that time, the Barabati fort was eclared an ASI-protected monument in 1915.

In 1989, the ASI had started excavations at the fort site including the moat area and other ruins. In the years that followed, similar work was carried out in 1997 and 2003. The fort was last excavated in 2007.