Keeladi Findings: Excavation Insights and Links to Indus Valley Civilisation

Unearthing the Treasures: Findings from the Keeladi Excavation

• Eight rounds of meticulous excavations have unveiled over 18,000 unique artefacts from the site. These significant discoveries include the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) , and are expected to be displayed in a museum soon.
• A large amount of pottery discovered at the site indicates the existence of a thriving pottery-making industry, primarily utilizing local raw materials. The discovery of over 120 potsherds inscribed with Tamil Brahmi script further emphasizes the longevity and continuity of the script.
• The discovery of a variety of artefacts, such as spindle whorls, copper needles, terracotta seals, hanging stones, terracotta spheres, and earthen vessels, suggests the existence of a flourishing weaving industry in the region.
• The opulent lifestyle of the ancient inhabitants of Keeladi is reflected in the gold ornaments, copper articles, semi-precious stones, shell bangles, ivory bangles, and ivory combs unearthed at the site. The excavation also revealed evidence of industries related to dyeing and glass bead making.
• The discovery of agate and carnelian beads implies that the ancient inhabitants of Keeladi had extensive trade networks. The presence of terracotta and ivory dice, gamesmen, and hopscotch evidence suggests that they also engaged in various leisure activities.

Keeladi and Its Connection to the Indus Valley Civilisation

The artefacts excavated from Keeladi have led scholars to describe it as a part of the Vaigai Valley Civilisation .

• The discoveries at Keeladi have drawn comparisons with the Indus Valley Civilisation , despite the cultural gap of 1,000 years between the two civilizations.
• Potsherds with symbols similar to those of the Indus Valley signs have been discovered at Keeladi. However, more research is needed to establish a clear link between the two civilizations.
• The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) asserts that the Keeladi site displays all the characteristics of an urban civilization, including evidence of internal and external trade, luxury items, and brick structures.
• The excavations have also revealed evidence of urban life and settlements in Tamil Nadu during the Early Historic Period, reinforcing the credibility of Sangam Literature .

How the Artefacts from Keeladi Redefine the Sangam Age

• The Sangam Age, a significant period in the history of ancient Tamil Nadu, was previously believed to span from the third century BCE to the third century CE. The term "Sangam" is believed to be derived from the Sangam poets of Madurai from the same period.
• The timeline of the Sangam Age has been redefined due to the recent excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department (TNSDA).
• A 2019 TNSDA report suggests that the artefacts discovered at Keeladi date back to between the sixth century BCE and the first century BCE. Carbon-dating of one of the samples collected at a depth of 353 cm showed a date of 580 BCE.
• These findings challenge previous beliefs that the site dates back to the third century BCE, indicating that the Keeladi artefacts are approximately 300 years older than previously thought.
• A recent ASI report by K. Amarnath Ramakrishna, the Superintendent Archaeologist who discovered Keeladi in 2015, suggests that the Sangam Age could be pushed back to 800 BCE based on these archaeological findings.
• The discovery of Keeladi could prove instrumental in understanding the missing links between the Iron Age (12th century BCE to the sixth century BCE), the Early Historic Period (sixth century BCE to the fourth century BCE), and the subsequent cultural developments.