Keeladi Findings

• A report on the discoveries at the Keeladi site from the Sangam era was just released by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
• A thorough report on the discoveries made during the first two phases of the excavation at the Sangam-era site and their relevance has been provided by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
• Also, the Keeladi Site Museum will soon be built in Sivaganga and will contain many of the more than 18,000 artefacts that have been discovered thus far.

More on the news:

• Near the temple city of Madurai, in the southern Tamil Nadu region, lies a village called Keeladi beside the Vaigai river.
• 2015 excavations at this location demonstrate the existence of an urban civilisation in Tamil Nadu during the Sangam era along the banks of the Vaigai river.

Findings:

• Around 18,000 artefacts have been found at the site throughout the course of the eight excavation rounds.
• There have been found to be more than 120 potsherds with Tamil Brahmi writing on them.
• The many steps of a weaving enterprise are suggested by spindle whorls, copper needles, terracotta seals, hanging stones of the yarn, terracotta spheres, and earthen jars to hold liquid.
• Gold decorations, copper objects, semi-precious stones, shell bracelets, ivory bracelets, and ivory combs are examples of the Keeladi people's artistic, culturally significant, and affluent way of life.
• The fact that over a thousand inscribed potsherds have been discovered at Keeladi and other locations strongly suggests the script's lengthy existence.
• Terracotta and ivory dice, gamesmen, and remnants of hopscotch have been discovered, suggesting their pastime interests. Agate and carnelian beads suggest import through commercial networks.

Significance:

Sangam era and Keeladi:

• In 2015, Keeladi conducted excavations that demonstrated the existence of an urban civilization in Tamil Nadu during the Sangam era along the banks of the Vaigai river.
• The objects discovered in Keeladi date to a time between the sixth and first centuries BCE.
• These discoveries brought the Sangam age closer to 800 BCE.
• The credibility of Sangam Literature is increased by Keeladi.
• According to a recent ASI report, these archaeological discoveries have raised the Sangam era to 800 BCE.
• Keeladi may potentially offer vital information for comprehending the gaps between the Iron Age (12th–6th centuries BCE), the Early Historic Period (6th–4th centuries BCE), and later cultural changes.

Possible Connections to the Indus Valley:

• Because of the recently discovered Keeladi artefacts, scholars have classified the location as belonging to the Vaigai Valley Civilization. The results have also evoked similarities with the Indus Valley Civilization while admitting the cultural difference of 1,000 years between the two locales.
• Iron Age artefacts from south India bridge the gap and act as leftover linkages.
• According to the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department (TNSDA), Keeladi exhibits all the traits of an urban civilisation, including brick buildings, opulent objects, and evidence of both domestic and international trade.
• It has provided evidence of urban life and settlements in Tamil Nadu during the Early Historic Period, giving the impression of being a diligent and sophisticated society.

What was the Keeladi controversy about?

• There were "no noteworthy findings" in the third wave of excavations following reports of potential connections with the Indus Valley Civilization, which were perceived as an effort to downplay the excavation results.
• Since the fourth cycle, the TNSDA has been conducting excavations instead of ASI to learn more about the history of Tamil civilization at the request of the Madras High Court.

About Sangam Age:

• The Sangam Era, which lasted from the third century B.C. to the third century A.D., was a time when the region south of the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra was inhabited.
• It was given that name in honour of the literary meeting (Sangam) that the Pandya kings of Madurai sponsored at that time.
• Although some archaeological evidence has started to emerge, the primary sources for this era are primarily literary.
• The earliest epigraphic evidence mentioning a federation of Tamil states can be found in Kharavela's Hatigumpha inscription (155 BCE).

About Vaigai River:

• It comes from the Western Ghats (Varushanad Hills).
• It travels through the Pandya Nadu region of Tamil Nadu.
• Suruliyaru, Mullaiyaru, Varaganadhi, Manjalaru, Kottagudi, Kridhumaal, and Upparu are some of its principal tributaries.
• Around the Pamban Bridge in the Ramanathapuram district, the Vaigai finally flows into the Palk Strait.