imported>Wikiwhitewizard at 17:45, 12 August 2021

2021-08-12T17:45:28Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox ancient site|name=Keezhadi excavation site|alternate_name=Vaigai valley civilization|image=KeeladiExcavationCamp2.jpg|alt=|caption=Excavation blocks at Keezhadi|map_type=India Tamil Nadu#India|map_alt=|map_size=270|coordinates={{coord|9.8630727|N|78.1820931|E|display=inline,title}}|location=[[Keezhadi]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India|region=Thiruppuvanam, Sivaganga|type=Settlement|part_of=|length=|width=|area={{convert|32.37|ha|abbr=on}}|height=|builder=|material=|built=600 BC–500 BC|abandoned=|epochs=|cultures=[[Sangam period]]|dependency_of=|occupants=|event=|excavations=2015–present|archaeologists=Amarnath Ramakrishna|ownership=|management=[[Archaeological Survey of India]], [[Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department]]|public_access=Yes|website=|notes=|relief=y}}

'''Keezhadi''' (also as '''Keeladi''') '''excavation site''' is a [[Sangam period|Sangam age]] settlement that is being excavated by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] and the [[Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=Dennis S. Jesudasan |date=20 September 2019 |title=Keezhadi excavations: Sangam era older than previously thought, finds study |newspaper=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/keeladi-findings-traceable-to-6th-century-bce-report/article29461583.ece}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Keeladi {{!}} Department Of Archaeology|url=https://www.tnarch.gov.in/keeladi|access-date=2021-08-12|website=www.tnarch.gov.in}}</ref>This site is located 12 km southeast of [[Madurai]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], near the town of [[Keezhadi]] in [[Sivaganga district|Sivagangai district]]. It comes under the [[Tiruppuvanam taluk|Thiruppuvanam Taluk]] of Sivagangai district. This is a large-scale excavation carried out in [[Tamil Nadu]] after the [[Adichanallur#Present Excavations|Adichanallur archaeological site]]. The settlement lies on the bank of the [[Vaigai River]] and it reflects the ancient [[Culture of Tamil Nadu|culture of Tamil people]].<ref>{{cite news
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/unearthing-an-ancient-civilisation/article29856930.ece | title = Keeladi: Unearthing the 'Vaigai Valley' Civilisation of Sangam era Tamil Nadu}}</ref> Epigraphist V. Vedachalam, who served as a domain expert for the excavation, dated the excavated remains between 3rd century BCE and 3rd century CE.<ref name="hindu eng 1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/archaeological-excavationin-sivaganga-uncovers-pandyaroman-trade-links/article7328683.ece|title=அகழ்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டது: பாண்டிய-ரோம வணிகத் தொடர்பு (ஆங்கிலத்தில்)|last=எஸ். அண்ணாமலை|date=18 June 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|agency=The Hindu}}</ref>

== Location ==
The excavation was first started in Pallisanthai Thidal which is in the north of [[Manalur]], about a kilometer east of the town of [[Keezhadi]] in [[Sivagangai district]]. Various archaeological residues were found when plowing the land around the site. A survey was conducted for the study, which found that this ancient settlement was less than two and a half meters below the ground level.<ref name="விகடன் செய்தி">{{Cite news|url=http://www.vikatan.com/news/article.php?aid=49553|title=2200 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முந்தைய பழங்கால நகரம் மதுரை அருகே கண்டுபிடிப்பு!|date=16 June 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|agency=vikatan.com}}</ref> The area currently being excavated is spread over 80 acres with a 3.5 km radius. The ancient towns of Kondagai and Manalur are also said to be associated with this region.<ref name="hindu eng 2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/archaeological-excavationin-sivaganga-uncovers-pandyaroman-trade-links/article7328683.ece|title=அகழ்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டது: பாண்டிய-ரோம வணிகத் தொடர்பு (ஆங்கிலத்தில்)|last=எஸ். அண்ணாமலை|date=18 June 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|agency=தி இந்து (ஆங்கிலம்)}}</ref>

== Site's age ==
Initially, this site was estimated to be from the period between 5th century BCE and 3rd century CE. Two samples were sent for [[Radiocarbon dating|carbon dating]] from this excavation site for confirmation in 2017. The results that came in July 2017 confirmed that the samples were from about 2,200 years ago (3rd century BCE).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/carbon-dating-confirms-keezhadi-site-is-from-sangam-era/article19376556.ece|title=Carbon dating confirms Keezhadi site is from Sangam era|last=Dennis S. Jesudasan|date=28 July 2017|publisher=thehindu.com|access-date=28 July 2017}}</ref><ref>[http://www.vikatan.com/news/tamilnadu/49553.html 2200 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முந்தைய பழங்கால நகரம் மதுரை அருகே கண்டுபிடிப்பு!]</ref> Radiocarbon dating of samples obtained from the fourth phase of excavation revealed that one of the artifacts was from 6th century BCE.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Kavitha Muralidharan |date=20 September 2019 |url=https://thewire.in/the-sciences/keezhadi-excavation-tamil-nadu-sangam-era-asi-tamil-brahmi|title=In 'Rebuttal' to ASI, Tamil Nadu Dig Claims Proof Sangam Era Older Than Thought|website=The Wire}}</ref> In 2017, the ASI sent two samples from Keezhadi to Beta Analytic, a [[Miami]]-based radiocarbon dating laboratory. The laboratory dated the samples to be about 2,300 – 2600 years old (from 3rd century BCE).<ref name="TH_Dennis_Sangam">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/carbon-dating-confirms-tn-site-is-from-sangam-era/article19374201.ece|title=Carbon dating confirms T.N. site is from Sangam era|author=Dennis S. Jesudasan|date=28 July 2017|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> In 2018, six carbon samples collected from the fourth phase of excavation were sent to Beta Analytic in the United States for [[Accelerator Mass Spectrometry]] (AMS) dating. It was found that one sample collected at a depth of 353 cm goes back to 580 BCE.<ref name="KeeladiReport2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/keezhadi-archaeological-excavation/article7557728.ece|title=Keeladi - An Urban Settlement of Sangam Age on the bank of Vaigai River|date=19 September 2019|agency=The Wire}}</ref>

== Background and status of study ==
An archaeological survey was first conducted in 2013 in the vicinity of the [[Vaigai River|Vaigai]] river from [[Theni district]] to [[Ramanathapuram district]] where the river meets the sea.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Sruthisagar Yamunan |date=11 May 2017 |title=Sangam-era site at Keezhadi is as complex as Indus Valley, proof of a glorious Tamil civilisation |newspaper=Scroll.in |url=https://scroll.in/article/836427/sangam-era-site-at-keezhadi-is-as-complex-as-indus-valley-proof-of-a-glorious-tamil-civilisation}}</ref> During the study, 293 sites, including Keezhadi, were identified to have archaeological residues.<ref>{{cite web |author=The Hindu Net Desk |date=13 June 2017 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/keezhadi-excavation-what-was-found-and-what-it-means/article18991279.ece|title=Keezhadi excavation: what was found and what they mean |newspaper=The Hindu }}</ref> The first three phases of excavation at Keezhadi were conducted by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] while the phases after that were conducted by the [[Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department]].

=== Phases of Keezhadi excavation ===

==== First phase ====
In June 2015, an Archaeological Survey of India group led by [[K. Amarnath Ramakrishna|Amarnath Ramakrishnan]] started the first phase of the excavation in the area near the Vaigai river in Keezhadi.

==== Second phase ====
The second phase began on 2 January 2016. Various documents, including medical jars, antique kitchen wells, and factory and government seals, were found. At the end of the second phase, more than six thousand artifacts were found. It was confirmed that these artifacts were 2,200 years old when they were tested by [[radiocarbon dating]].

==== Third phase ====
The third phase of the excavation was conducted under the chairmanship of Sri Ramanan of the Archaeological Survey of India from January 2017. The work ended on 30 September 2017. In the third phase, 16 digging sites were selected, taking up a total area of 400 square meters, which is 80 acres of land.<ref>[http://www.vikatan.com/news/tamilnadu/90534-third-phase-of-keeladi-excavation-begins-today.html கீழடியில் மூன்றாம் கட்ட ஆய்வுப் பணி துவக்கம்!]</ref>

==== Fourth phase ====
The fourth phase of the excavation was conducted between 2017 and 2018, bringing out 5,820 artifacts. This phase was conducted by the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department while the first three phases were conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India.<ref name="PhasesKeeladi">{{Cite web|author=Padmini Sivarajah |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/fifth-phase-of-keeladi-excavation-begins/articleshow/69775862.cms|title=Fifth phase of Keeladi excavations begins|date=13 June 2019 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> Six carbon samples collected from the fourth phase of excavation at Keezhadi were sent to Beta Analytic, Miami, Florida, USA for [[Accelerator Mass Spectrometry]] (AMS) dating; one sample, collected at a depth of 353 cm, was dated at 580 BCE.<ref name="KeeladiReport">{{Cite news|title=Keeladi - An Urban Settlement of Sangam Age on the bank of Vaigai River|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/keezhadi-archaeological-excavation/article7557728.ece|date=19 September 2019|agency=The Wire}}</ref> The graffiti marks on the artifacts obtained from the excavation site were found to be similar to the Indus Valley script by the excavators and thus lent credence to the long-held view that the language of the [[Indus Valley Civilization]] was proto-Dravidian.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Sruthisagar Yamunan |date=20 September 2019 |title=Tamil Nadu: Artefacts dated to 580 BCE hint at script continuity from Indus Valley Civilisation |newspaper=Scroll.in |url=https://scroll.in/latest/937821/tamil-nadu-artifacts-dated-to-583-bce-hint-at-script-continuity-from-indus-valley-civilisatio}}</ref>

==== Fifth phase ====
In June 2019, the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department began the fifth phase of the excavation led by Dr R Sivanantham.<ref name="PhasesKeeladi"/> This phase was completed in four to five months in which 15 trenches was planned to be dug. In the 5th stage of excavation, Sangam-era bricks and more than 700 objects were found and these have been sent for testing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/5th-phase-of-keeladi-excavation-brings-out-2-walls-made-of-sangam-era-bricks/articleshow/69981518.cms|title=5th phase of Keeladi excavation brings out 2 walls made of Sangam-era bricks|author=Padmini Sivarajah|date=28 June 2019|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/findings-from-keeladi-excavation-site-have-a-clear-message-for-modern-cities-cherish-your-water-or-perish-7478731.html|title=Findings from Keeladi excavation site have a clear message for modern cities: Cherish your water, or perish|author=Mridula Ramesh|date=14 October 2019|newspaper=Firstpost}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/excavations-in-keeladi-yields-its-secrets/article29667502.ece/photo/1/|title=Excavations in Keeladi yields its secrets|author=T.K. Rohit and B. Jothi Ramalingam|date=13 October 2019|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> Preliminary report of the fifth phase of excavations is nearing completion.<ref>{{cite news | title=Chief Minister inaugurates sixth phase of Keezhadi excavations |
url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/feb/20/chief-minister-inaugurates-sixth-phase-of-keezhadi-excavations-2106087.html}}</ref>

==== Sixth phase ====
Sixth phase of excavation along with simultaneous excavation in neighbouring villages (Manalur, [[Konthagai|Kondhagai]], and Agaram) began on 19 February 2020.<ref>{{cite news | title=Sixth phase of excavation at Keeladi begins | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/sixth-phase-of-excavation-at-keeladi-begins/article30865181.ece }}</ref>

== Findings ==
[[File:KeeladiExcavationCamp9.jpg|thumb|Brick wall found in the excavation.]]

Almost 48 square pits have been cut and various structures and artifacts have been found, including frosts, brick walls, roof tiles, pottery, mimic accessories, skeletal tools, iron [[Vel]], and [[Tamil-Brahmi]] letter-etched plates.<ref name="KeeladiReport"/> This place is considered to be [[Pandyan dynasty|Pandyan]] dynasty's city called "Perumanalur", the pioneer of literature.<ref name="eng hindu 4">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/keezhadi-archaeological-excavation/article7557728.ece|title=உயிரூட்டம் கொண்ட சிற்றூரின் கீழே புதையுண்ட நகரம் (ஆங்கிலத்தில்)|last=ஏ. ஸ்ரீகுமார்|date=19 August 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|agency=The Hindu}}</ref> The use of fired brick, the size of the building complex, an array of pots placed in such a way that it must have been used either as a lamp or for painting, and other findings suggest that the settlement is of a more civilized population than was previously suspected during the [[Sangam period]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Harappa-like-site-surfaces-in-Tamil-Nadu/articleshow/52495353.cms|title=Harappa-like site surfaces in Tamil Nadu|author=Johnbosco, Arockiaraj|date=29 May 2016|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6htNIq6lD?url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Harappa-like-site-surfaces-in-Tamil-Nadu/articleshow/52495353.cms|archive-date=30 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://m.tamil.thehindu.com/tamilnadu/article7466768.ece|title=சங்க காலத்திலேயே வெளிநாடுகளோடு வர்த்தகம்: வணிகப் பெருவழிப் பாதையில் அமைந்த நகரம்|date=26 July 2015|newspaper=The Hindu|language=ta|trans-title=Associated with Overseas Trade: Traderoute within City Pandyas}}</ref>

=== Canals and sewage system ===
Water supply and wastewater are considered as important landmarks of civil development.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} At the bottom of the settlement, there are buildings with a sewage canal facility made of ceramic tubes.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

=== Ring wells and brick walls ===
Ancient earthenware and ring wells have been found.<ref>{{cite journal | title=Ring wells in ancient India | first=B. M. | last=Pande | journal= Bulletin of the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute | volume=25 | pages=207–219 | year=1966 |jstor = 42930851}}</ref> Archaeologist Velappan said that this proves the ancient tradition of Tamils indicating that they used these wells in river shores and ponds for water.<ref name="தமிழ் இந்து 1">{{Cite news|url=http://tamil.thehindu.com/opinion/reporter-page/%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%87-%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%88-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B2-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%A3%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%89%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A3%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A3%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81/article7538252.ece|title=திருப்புவனம் அருகே கீழடி பள்ளிச்சந்தை புதூரில் சங்ககால மக்களின் சுடுமண் உறைகிணறுகள் கண்டெடுப்பு|last=சுப.ஜனநாயகச்செல்வம்|date=14 August 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|agency=The Hindu (Tamil)}}</ref> Brick buildings are considered rare in ancient times but a large number of brick buildings have been found.<ref name="தமிழ் இந்து 3">{{Cite news|url=http://tamil.thehindu.com/tamilnadu/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%87-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%A3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D/article7466768.ece|title=சங்க காலத்திலேயே வெளிநாடுகளோடு வர்த்தகம்: வணிகப் பெருவழிப் பாதையில் அமைந்த நகரம்|last=சுப. ஜனநாயகச்செல்வம்|date=26 July 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|agency=The Hindu (Tamil)}}</ref>

=== Pottery ===
The rouletted, [[Terra sigillata|arretine]]-type ceramics brought by merchants demonstrate business connections with the [[Roman Empire]]. It is noteworthy that such products have been discovered. Furthermore, black and red parchment fragments and white-colored black, red papillae and reddish-pitted pieces have also been unearthed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vikatan.com/news/article.php?aid=49553|title=2200 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முந்தைய பழங்கால நகரம் மதுரை அருகே கண்டுபிடிப்பு!|last=ப.சூரியராஜ்|date=16 June 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|agency=விகடன்.காம்}}</ref><ref name="தமிழ் இந்து 3"/> There are [[Tamil language|Tamil words]] engraved on the potteries that mention the names of individuals like 'Aathan', 'Uthiran' and 'Thiesan'.<ref name="eng hindu 4"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vikatan.com/news/article.php?aid=49553|title=2200 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முந்தைய பழங்கால நகரம் மதுரை அருகே கண்டுபிடிப்பு!|last=ப.சூரியராஜ்|date=16 June 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|agency=vikatan.com}}</ref>[[File:KeeladiExcavationCamp8.jpg|thumb|Pottery|alt=]]

===Tamil-Brahmi script and graffiti marks===
In the fourth phase of excavations at Keezhadi, 72 potsherds with [[Tamil-Brahmi]] script were discovered at the site. Some of these artifacts have inscribed graffiti marks, similar to graffiti marks which some believe to have evolved from the [[Indus script]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-study-connects-tamil-nadu-with-indus-valley-civilisation/story-ESlR55vEIZQPvq2Q0jXeVP.html|title=New study connects Tamil Nadu with Indus Valley civilisation|author=MC Rajan|date=20 September 2019|newspaper=Hindustan Times}}</ref> According to T. Udhayachandran, the artifacts found at Keezhadi excavation site may point to a link between the [[Indus script|scripts]] of the [[Indus Valley Civilization]] and [[Tamil-Brahmi]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=Anna Isaac and Nikhita Venugopal |date=19 September 2019 |title=Major discovery in Tamil Nadu's Keezhadi: A possible link to Indus Valley Civilisation |newspaper=The News Minute |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/major-discovery-tamil-nadu-s-keezhadi-possible-link-indus-valley-civilisation-109165}}</ref> Based on these marks, and one Keezhadi findings of the fourth phase which was dated to 580 BCE, R. Sivanantham and M. Seran argue that the date of the earliest attestation of Tamil-Brahmi can be pushed back to the 6th century BCE,{{better source needed|date=January 2020}}<ref name="KeeladiReport2" /> a few centuries older than Dhamma Lipi (Prakrit in the Brahmi Script) of [[Edicts of Ashoka|Ashokan Edicts]], which is stated to be dated from 268 BC to 232 BC.<ref>https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/carbon-dating-proves-adichanallur-relics-905-696-bc-madras-hc-slams-asi-99557</ref> These claims have been challenged. It is not clear whether the potsherds containing inscriptions were found in the same [[Stratigraphy (archaeology)|archaeological layer]] as the 6th century samples, and University of Calcutta archaeologist Bishnupriya Basak said that "This unfortunately is not clear from the report and is very crucial," adding that the issues of "layer, period and absolute dates" needed clarity. Dravidian University archaeologist E. Harsha Vardhan said that a single report was not enough to "state scientifically that the Tamil-Brahmi script belongs to the sixth century BC”.<ref name="Charuch">{{cite web |last1=Charuch |first1=Sukanya |title=Experts Question Dates of Script in Tamil Nadu's Keeladi Excavation Report |url=https://science.thewire.in/society/history/keeladi-settlement-tamil-nadu-department-of-archaeology-tamil-brahmi-script-indus-valley-civilisation/ |website=The Wire Science |publisher=[[The Wire (India)]] |access-date=12 April 2020 |date=17 October 2019}}</ref>

=== Ornaments and antiquities ===
Ornaments have been found including sponges, marble, agate beads, green, yellow and blue glass beads.<ref name="தமிழ் இந்து 4">{{Cite news|url=http://tamil.thehindu.com/tamilnadu/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%87-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%A3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D/article7466768.ece|title=சங்க காலத்திலேயே வெளிநாடுகளோடு வர்த்தகம்: வணிகப் பெருவழிப் பாதையில் அமைந்த நகரம்|last=சுப. ஜனநாயகச்செல்வம்|date=26 July 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|agency=தி இந்து (தமிழ்)}}</ref> The findings also include elephant tusks, copper ointment and sheets of wire.<ref name="தமிழ் இந்து 5">{{Cite news|url=http://tamil.thehindu.com/tamilnadu/%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4-%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D/article7629038.ece|title=தலைநகராக இருந்த கீழடி அழிந்தது எப்படி? - புத்தக காட்சியில் தொல்லியல் ஆய்வாளர் தெரிவித்த புதிய தகவல்|date=8 September 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|agency=The Hindu (Tamil)}}</ref> Rare artifacts including iron edged corners, gold ornaments,stylus, terracotta stamps, diaphragm tiles, firefly toys have been found as well.

== Controversy ==
In 2017, some Tamil academicians, including V Arasu (the former head of the Department of Tamil Literature at the University of Madras), alleged that the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]-led central government had made deliberate attempts to stall the excavations at Keezhadi. Arasu claimed that the BJP government had a [[Hindutva]] agenda, and wanted to stop the Keezhadi project because the excavations at the site provided an "undeniable evidence of a secular culture in South India".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/keezhadi-dig-delayed-it-reveals-secular-culture-says-academic-tn-minister-denies-71247|title=Keezhadi dig delayed as it reveals secular culture says academic, TN minister denies|author=Priyanka Thirumurthy|date=7 November 2017|publisher=The News Minute}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/centre-stopped-keezhadi-dig-due-to-places-secular-culture/articleshow/61428427.cms|title=Centre stopped Keezhadi dig due to place's secular culture|author=M T Saju|date=2 November 2017|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>

The ASI normally conducts excavations at a major archaeological site for five seasons (years).<ref name="RRK_NIE_Mahesh">{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2017/apr/29/centre-not-for-stopping-excavation-at-keezhadi-tourism-minister-mahesh-sharma-1598951.html|title=Centre not for stopping excavation at Keezhadi: Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma|author=Rajasekaran RK|date=29 April 2017|newspaper=New Indian Express}}</ref> In 2016–17, after the conclusion of the second season at Keezhadi, the ASI transferred the Superintending Archaeologist (SA) [[K. Amarnath Ramakrishna]] to its [[Guwahati]] circle.<ref name="NIE_RRK_transfer">{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2017/apr/24/transfer-of-keezhadi-excavation-site-archaeologist-final-says-asi-1597000.html|title=Transfer of Keezhadi excavation site archaeologist final, says ASI|author=Rajasekaran R K|publisher=24 April 2017}}</ref> This caused a controversy in Tamil Nadu, leading to allegations that the ASI had deliberately transferred the SA to stall the project.<ref name="ToI_Padmini_Union">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/keeladi-excavation-will-be-completed-in-five-years-union-minister-says/articleshow/58420328.cms|title=Keeladi excavation will be completed in five years, Union minister says|author=Padmini Sivarajah|date=28 April 2017|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref> K. Amarnath Ramakrishna stated that he wanted to complete the excavation work at Keezhadi, and challenged his transfer order before the [[Central Administrative Tribunal]].<ref name="NIE_RRK_transfer" />

The ASI clarified that the transfer was ordered in accordance with the organization's policy, which mandates that the maximum tenure of an SA in a particular circle is only for two years. K Amarnath Ramakrishna had completed more than three years at the [[Bengaluru]] circle, under which the Keezhadi site comes. So, the ASI decided to replace him with P S Sriraman, who had earlier served as a Deputy SA in the [[Jodhpur]] circle.<ref name="NIE_RRK_transfer" /> K Amarnath Ramakrishna was not the only officer to be transferred; 26 other officers had been transferred all over India. Moreover, the newly-appointed SA P S Sriraman was a native of Tamil Nadu.<ref name="ToI_Padmini_Union" />

The Union Ministry also clarified that it had no intention to stop or delay the excavations at Keezhadi. It also explained that there was a delay in allocation of funds for the third season of excavation, because the ministry had not received the report for the work done in the past two years on time. Once the report was submitted, the ministry immediately cleared the funds for the third season of excavations at Keezhadi.<ref name="RRK_NIE_Mahesh" /> The reports of the first two years of research will be released as a book.<ref>[http://tamil.oneindia.com/news/tamilnadu/keezhadi-excavation-continues-5-yrs-minister-mahesh-sharma-281188.html கீழடி அகழ்வாராய்ச்சி பணிகள் 5 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு நீடிக்கும்.. ரூ.40 லட்சம் நிதி ஒதுக்கீடு- மத்திய அமைச்சர்]</ref>

== Gallery ==
The following photographs were taken at the excavation site on 11 October 2016. <gallery>
File:Keeladi excavacation site2.jpg|
File:Keeladi excavacation site3.jpg|
File:Keeladi excavacation site1.jpg|
File:Keeladi excavacation site6.jpg|
File:Keeladi excavacation site7.jpg|
File:Keeladi excavacation site4.jpg|
File:Keeladi excavacation site5.jpg|
</gallery>

== See also ==

* [[Arikamedu]]
* [[Adichanallur#Archaeological site|Adichanallur archaeological site]]
* [[Kodumanal]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
<references group=""></references>

== External links ==

* [http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/keezhadi-archaeological-excavation/article7557728.ece A dead city beneath a living village]

[[Category:Sivaganga district]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Ancient Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Prehistoric India]]
[[Category:Tamil history]]
[[Category:Archaeological cultures in India]]
[[Category:Sangam period]]

Keezhadi excavation site - Revision history

imported>Wikiwhitewizard at 17:45, 12 August 2021