The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology has formally requested the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to approve excavation at seven new historically significant locations across the state.
Proposed Sites Include:
- A Buddhist vihara at the ancient Chola port in Nagapattinam
- A Sangam-era glass bead-making workshop at Manikollai
- Locations tied to Roman gold coin findings in Coimbatore and Tenkasi
- Iron Age burial grounds in Adichanur and Thelunganur
- A conch-shell ornament-making unit in Pattinamarudur
Key Highlights:
- Keeladi Excavation: The department has also requested permission for the 11th season of excavation at Keeladi, a site where only a fraction—just 4%—has been explored so far
- Research Collaboration: The Manikollai site will be investigated with support from the Field Museum in Chicago and IIT Gandhinagar, aiming to trace the origins of Indo-Pacific monochrome beads
- Technological Insights: Excavations at Thelunganur could shed light on early steel production methods, possibly dating as far back as 1200–1400 BCE .
These studies are expected to deepen our knowledge of Tamil Nadu’s ancient trade routes, technological innovations, and support literary and archaeological evidence from the Sangam age.
Summary:
Tamil Nadu is intensifying its archaeological efforts by proposing digs at seven key heritage sites and expanding work at Keeladi. The endeavors—especially in bead-making, metallurgical development, and cultural exchange—promise a vivid reconstruction of the region’s storied past.