After reading and knowing much about Vaigai Civilisation that once thrived (flourished) surrounding Keeladi site, visited the Keeladi Museum, southeast of Madurai to know our ancient roots (origin) and references to the Pandya dynasty during the ancient Tamil Sangam or it could well be pre-Sangam era.
Keeladi showcases as a site that once thrived as a maritime trade center that traded with others around the world and having skilled artisans. The ancient town spread around 110 acres of land out of which only one acre had been excavated as I understood it. Only two items have been carbon dated among the 5,000 odd items found.
Excavations at the Keeladi site began between 2014 to 2015. Prior to this, over 500 villages around river Vaigai were surveyed leading to excavation at Keeladi. There are more to be done around the Vaigai river.
There were couple of important excavations items identified. I try to list a few important ones:
ring wells showing presence of urban civilisation and industry
beads
ivory comb
ivory dice
glass bangles which adorning them is a science uprooted by our ancestors
tools made of iron and copper
tools used for weaving, ship, and/or boat building
terracotta figurines
burial sites
Two key important information I would like to highlight:
Tamil-Brahmi script found in the foreign countries endorsing even further the maritime trade.
From Keeladi excavation, an ancient Tamili inscription now called Tamil (Tamizh) was found referencing Pandya King Neduncheliyan of ancient Tamil Sangam on a rock.
Overall, it gives credit to the urbanisation of Tamils depicted in the sangam literature. The possible carbon dating of more artefacts from Keeladi and of Poompuhar habitation of Tamil civilisation which had maritime trade (that have yet to be approved for further archaeological excavations and carbon dating) could possibly push back the date of Tamil civilisation that once thrived and lived.
Credit: To Archaeologists and the team for the excavations and findings at Keeladi.
Photos from my journey to Keeladi Museum. Highly recommended to visit for educational purposes.
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