Uncovered: Pandyas-Romans trade link
The Hindu
The archaeological team at work in Keezhadi, Sivaganga. Photo: G. MoorthyAn excavation in Keezhadi, Sivaganga district, has thrown up a wealth of information on the floruishing Pandya trade with the west.
An
ongoing excavation of a Sangam period habitation by the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI) is poised to throw more light on the flourishing
trade of the Pandyas with the west and their rich culture, which was the
envy of the Romans.
The Bengaluru-based Excavation
Branch VI of the ASI has taken up the excavation at Keezhadi village, 12
km south east of Madurai, in Sivaganga district.
Into
the third month, the exercise has already thrown up very interesting
antiquities – glass/pearl/terracotta beads; terracotta figurines;
grooved roof tiles and early historic pottery.
“This
is the ASI’s major excavation in Tamil Nadu after Adichanallur,” says K.
Amarnath Ramakrishnan, Superintending Archaeologist and director of the
current excavation.
Keezhadi
was chosen after an exploration carried out through 2013-14 in 293
sites along the Vaigai river valley in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai,
Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts.
It was
found to possess archaeological wealth “that may provide crucial
evidence to understand the missing links of Iron Age to early historic
period and subsequent cultural developments.”
The
excavation area, a mound, referred to as ‘Pallichandai Thidal,’ has a
circumference of 3.5 km and spans 80 acres. It is contiguous to ancient
settlements like Konthagai and Manalur. “We chose the mound raising
about one to 2.5 metres above the ground level as it is relatively
undisturbed,” says Mr. Amarnath. “We have found the finest variety of
black and red ware bowls at the site,” says M. Rajesh, assistant
archaeologist.
The most interesting findings in the
32 quadrants dug up so far are the damaged brick structures, including
walls. The bricks are unique to early historic period and they measure
33 cm in length, 21 cm in breadth and five cm in height.
Noted
epigraphist and domain expert for the excavation, V. Vedachalam,
attributes the age of the remains to third century BCE to third CE. “The
earthenware contains Tamil Brahmi script. The black and red pottery
belongs to the Sangam period. The bricks belong to early historic period
and similar ones were found in Kaviripoompattinam, Woriyur, Alagankulam
and Korkai,” he says.
The
presence of a number of large handmade grooved tiles suggests that the
brick structures had a super structure with tiled roof, according to N.
Veeraraghavan, assistant archaeologist.
The Roman
ware found at the site supplement the historical references to a
flourishing trade between the Pandya kingdom and the Roman Empire.
Historically, these settlements would have been part of Kuntidevi
Chaturvedimangalam, named after a Pandya queen.
The
first major excavation of a habitation undertaken by the ASI in south
Tamil Nadu will go into 2016. “The Director (Exploration and
Excavation), ASI, Syed Jamal Hasan, who visited the site on May 15, was
impressed with the findings,” says Mr. Amarnath.
The
ASI is likely to extend the period of excavation by a year. The final
report will be released after corroborating the antiquities with
existing evidence and conducting various scientific analyses.
Research scholars from the University of Madras and Government Arts College, Krishnagiri, assist the ASI team in the excavation.
