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Manas - Keeladi PPT1 PDF

The Keezhadi excavation site in Tamil Nadu has yielded artifacts dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Radiocarbon dating of samples from the site confirmed dates of 2,200-2,600 years old. Excavations have uncovered structural remains like brick structures and wells, along with antiquities like ornaments, coins, pottery, and graffiti. The rich finds indicate an advanced, literate society with internal and external trade. Keezhadi provides evidence of early urbanization in the Tamil region.

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1K views7 pages

Manas - Keeladi PPT1 PDF

The Keezhadi excavation site in Tamil Nadu has yielded artifacts dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Radiocarbon dating of samples from the site confirmed dates of 2,200-2,600 years old. Excavations have uncovered structural remains like brick structures and wells, along with antiquities like ornaments, coins, pottery, and graffiti. The rich finds indicate an advanced, literate society with internal and external trade. Keezhadi provides evidence of early urbanization in the Tamil region.

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yedhulaprakash4927
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BY

Y.P.MANAS

VI B, TSA, MADURAVOYAL
background

Keezhadi (also as Keeladi) excavation site is a Sangam period settlement that is being excavated by the
Archaeological Survey of India and the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department.

The site Keeladi with the cultural deposit mound extending over a vast area of more than 110 acres, amidst
the coconut grooves is located at Thirupuvanam Taluk in Sivagangai District.
location

This site is located 12 km southeast of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, near the town of Keezhadi in Sivagangai
district.
This is a large-scale excavation carried out in Tamil Nadu after the Adichanallur archaeological site. The
settlement lies on the bank of the Vaigai River and it reflects the ancient culture of Tamil people.
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 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).
Radiocarbon dating of samples obtained from the fourth phase of excavation revealed that one of the artifacts
was from 6th century BCE. 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). It was found that one sample collected at a depth of 353 cm goes back to 580 BCE.
background and status of study

An archaeological survey was first conducted in 2013 in the vicinity of the Vaigai river from Theni district to
Ramanathapuram district where the river meets the sea. During the study, 293 sites, including Keezhadi,
were identified to have archaeological residues. 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.
key findings

Excavation work, during this season had yielded 5820 antiquities with enough cultural traits in the form
of structural activity (brick structures, terracotta ring wells, fallen roofing tiles with double holes and
deeply finger pressed grooves to draw rain water).
Antiquities like few pieces of golden ornaments, broken portions, copper objects, iron implements,
terracotta gamesmen (chessman), hop scotches, ear ornaments, spindle whorls, figurines and portions
besides beads of terracotta, glass, semi-precious stones (agate, carnelian, crystal, etc.).

Popular ceramic types like finer variety of Black and Red ware, Black ware, Black Polished ware, Red ware,
Rouletted ware, few pieces of Arretines were also found. There are also enough numbers of graffiti sherds
of both pre and post firing nature. A good number of Tamil Brahmi sherds also have been unearthed
conclusion

The rich find indirectly indicate the existence of well-developed and structured society. The available evidences
indicate the existence of urbanization at Keeladi. The size of the settlement, internal and external trade contacts,
advanced technology, industries, the existence of multi ethnic social groups, usage of multiple languages and
scripts, level of literacy, art, usage of elite or luxury objects, brick structures and other cultural items are considered
as characteristic features of urbanization. Most of these characteristic features are exposed at Keeladi.

The findings at Keeladi should make us proud of our roots and culture.

By Y.P.Manas

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