The exploration carried out on the right bank of river Daya in Distt. Khurda Odisha covering 112 locations has unfolded new facets of archaeology in the region. The habitations on the river valley particularly in the coastal area during the Neolithic chalcolithic time have thrown fresh lights on the settlement pattern. The outcome of the exploration supported by photographs of antiquarian remains has been given in this book with the objective to provide mostly first hand information to students and research scholars so that the very objective of the effort is achieved and further researches are carried out. Selecting the banks of river Daya for the exploration is perhaps a thoughtful move by the author because the history of Odisha would perhaps remain incomplete without referring to river Daya.

Dr. Dillip Kumar Khamari obtained his first class Master Degree in Ancient Indian History from Sambalpur University, Odisha in 1992. He did his P.G. Diploma in Archaeology from the Institute of Archaeology,  New Delhi  in 1995 and joined in the Archaeological Survey of India as Assistant Archaeologist in 1997. He was awarded Ph.D in Ancient History and Archaeology on the topic “Archaeology of Sanchi in the light of recent discoveries” from Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University in 2008. In 2012 he was directly selected as Superintending Archaeologist in the Archaeological Survey of India by the Union Public Service Commission. Presently he is serving as the Superintending Archaeologist of Raipur Circle, Raipur and holding the additional charges of Nagpur Circle, Nagpur and Excavation Branch-I, Nagpur.

He has participated in various excavations, explorations and setting up of archaeological museums of which mentions may be made to excavations at Dholavira, Lalkot, Golbai Sasan, Barabati, Sanchi, Udaigiri, Kulhadia, Hampi, Sirpur etc. As the Superintending Archaeologist of Excavation Branch-IV, Bhubaneswar he conducted exploration on the right bank of River Daya. The credit of discovering the well known Neolithic-Chalcolithic site at Suabarei, Odisha goes to him. After discovering the site in 2013 section scraping at the site was carried out by him and opined that the site would add a new dimension on the Neolithic- Chalcolithic cultures particularly in coastal Odisha. He was true in his theory. Suabarei is the first such site in Odisha where a clear cut separate deposit of Neolithic and Chalcolithic period could be traced during regular excavations by the ASI. His recent conservation works in Chhattisgarh at Surang Tila, Sirpur; Ganesh Statues, Barsur; Chandraditya Temple, Barsur; Ratanpur Fort, Ratanpur and Group of temples,Tuman has added a new dimension to his academic career.