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Keeladi Findings : Archaeological Survey Of India

News: A thorough report on the discoveries made during the first two phases of the excavation at the Sangam-era site by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been provided.

Meanwhile, the Keeladi Site Museum, which will hold a number of the more than 18,000 artefacts discovered thus far, is being built in Sivaganga.

Keeladi is a little village in south Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district. The temple city of Madurai is situated along the Vaigai river and is about 12 kilometres to the south-east.

The 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.

Key findings:

Over 18,000 artefacts have been uncovered from the site in the eight rounds of excavations, including the first three by the ASI. The rare artefacts will be on display at the museum when it opens soon.

Findings of pottery heaps point to the existence of a pottery-making business, one that used primarily locally accessible raw materials.

There have been found to be more than 120 potsherds with Tamil Brahmi writing on them.

The fact that over a thousand inscribed potsherds have been discovered at Keeladi and other locations strongly suggests the script’s lengthy existence.

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. A dyeing industry and a glass bead factory were also present.