Excavations at Keezhadi, an archaeological site in Sivaganga district, near Madurai, Tamil Nadu, have brought to light significant details about the Sangam era. The report on the fourth phase of the archaeological survey, undertaken at the site in 2018, was released by the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department (TNAD) recently. It described the findings a turning point in the cultural historiography of the ancient Sangam era.
In various phases
As many as five phases of excavations have been carried out in Keezhadi and the sixth one will begin soon. The first three phases were conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the fourth and the fifth phases are under the ambit of the TNAD.
In 2013-2014, the ASI began exploration in Tamil Nadu, along the bands of the river Vaigai. More than 290 sites were identified in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts for excavation began in 2015. The site began yielding rich artefacts such as potsherds with Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, deep terracotta pots, white-painted black ware, black and red pottery and beads made of semiprecious stones. Further excavations at the Pallichanthai Thidal in Keezhadi pointed to an ancient civilization that thrived on the banks of the Vaigai, Political parties in Tamil Nadu urged the ASI to publish the findings of the first three phases of excavation.
Picture Credit : Google