Keeladi Excavation:

ASI has granted permission to archaeologist P.S. Sriraman to prepare the final report on the third phase of Keeladi and Kodumanal excavations, addressing long-pending documentation amid earlier reporting controversies.

Keeladi Excavation:

Location and Background

• Keeladi is a small village located in Sivaganga district, about 12 km southeast of Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
• Situated along the Vaigai River, it gained prominence following archaeological excavations starting in 2015.
• The site lies within the cultural context of ancient Tamil Nadu, providing crucial insights into the Sangam Age and early urban life in South India.

Major Excavations

• Excavations have been conducted in eight rounds so far:
  • First three by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
  • Subsequent ones by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA)
• Over 18,000 artefacts have been unearthed from the site.

Key Archaeological Findings

• Writing and Inscriptions
  • Over 120 potsherds with Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions
  • Suggests long survival and use of script in the region.
  • Indicates literate society during Early Historic Period.
• Industrial and Economic Activities
  • Pottery Industry: Heaps of locally made pottery.
  • Weaving Industry: Evidence from spindle whorls, copper needles, terracotta seals, and yarn stones.
  • Dyeing and Bead-Making: Indicated by terracotta spheres and glass beads.
  • Luxury Crafts: Gold ornaments, copper goods, ivory bangles, shell artefacts.
  • Trade Evidence: Agate and carnelian beads suggest external trade.
• Entertainment and Lifestyle
  • Discovery of dice, terracotta gamesmen, and hopscotch markings reflect leisure activities.
  • Presence of luxury and ornamental items suggests a prosperous, artistic, and culturally rich society.

Historical Significance

• Sangam Age Link
  • Originally dated to 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE.
  • Recent ASI findings push the origin to as early as 800 BCE.
  • Provides material evidence of life, economy, and script during Sangam Period.
• Iron Age–Early Historic Transition
  • Keeladi helps bridge the gap between Iron Age (12th–6th century BCE) and the Early Historic Period (6th–4th century BCE).
  • Offers a continuous cultural evolution record in South India.
• Comparison with Indus Valley Civilization
  • Although separated by a 1000-year gap, Keeladi is seen as part of a "Vaigai Valley Civilization".
  • Like the Indus Valley Civilization, Keeladi shows:
    • Urban planning (brick structures)
    • Internal and external trade
    • Literacy and symbolic artefacts
  • However, cultural continuity is mediated through the Iron Age material.

Civilizational Features

• Urban Characteristics: Brick houses, well-planned streets.
• Social Structure: Artefacts suggest a stratified and organised society.
• Trade and Commerce: Internal and external trade routes evident.
• Cultural Continuity: Signs of advanced knowledge systems, art, and early forms of economy.