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Keezhadi Excavation

Introduction

In Tamil Nadu there are only two major archaeological sites. One of it is the village of Kodumanal in Erode district. The other one is the village of keezhadi in Sivaganga district. Keezhadi has been specified in many of the sangam texts of Tamil. This village of keezhadi is on the banks of river vaigai. In keezhadi the excavation was done on the elevated land of Pallisandhai Thidal. The findings here shows the ancient and the sangam lifestyle of tamizhans. Till now two phases of excavation have been completed.The archaeological team was divided into 3 teams and 43 pits were dug. There they found  the damaged walls, basement of the houses, wells, broken pots, women ornaments etc. All there dates back to sangam era. This place is predicted to be as perumanallur which is the old Madurai and capital of Pandya's before moving to present day Madurai. It is a surprising fact that the present day Madurai was actually a forest called Kadamba Vanam. The people from perumanallur migrated there destroyed the forest forest and inhabited there. If this is proved as perumanallur then it would of the most importance for the people of Tamil Nadu. This might also provide some evidence about the lost Tamil continent of  Kumari Kandam. There was no evidence found in this site of being attacked by any of the natural disaster. This proves that the people would have undergone a mass migration.

Archaeological Findings

The main finding in this site was the well planned houses with good drainage system. Each house was built 5 feet apart with highly raised compound wall, wells and developed drainage system. The entrance of most of the houses were facing east. Every house had a water tank at the backside of their houses. The water from river vaigai were stored in their tanks. They found the ornaments of women and toys for children. Here they found things that were from Rome. The houses here are build with bricks that are about 38 cm in length, weighing about  8 kg. But the bricks which we use today are just 22 cm in length and weigh only 4 kg. Tanks of depth 4feet, 10feet, 18feet were found. They also found tanks for cows. The water from river vaigai were stored in their tanks. There were many large size clayey pots found. Most of the pots had the carving of sangam name on it like Udhiran, Aadhan, Thisan and Eyanan. Agate beads, broken bangles, amphorae, coral ornaments, beads of green, blue and yellow colour were found here. Tools and weapons made out of wood and steel were also found here. A round shaped stone used for playing hopping game was found. There were more than 5600 artefacts found here at the sangam town. The type of artefacts found here was not found anywhere else in Tamil Nadu.








Trading Links

This region and its surroundings are called Kuntidevi Chaturvedimangalan named after a Pandya king. The incriptions at Arjuneshwar temple at keezhadi says that geographical sub-division to be Velur Kulakheel under the Pandyas. Since there were many artefacts found related to Romans this can also serve as a trading link between the pandyas and Romans. This village of Keezhadi is on the way between Madurai and Alangulam(port city of sangam time) at present day Ramanathapuram district. This village may even serve as great importance even for roman trade.


Other Facts

It was learned that the excavations across the banks of river vaigai was caries out in 1970s. But there were no any major findings. With the help of modern equipment now excavations are more detailed. According to findings this village of keezhadi maybe dated between 3rd century AD and 3rd century BC. This site of keezhadi is roughly 1 km away from river vaigai. So, this says us that the river has drained so much in so many years. The houses found here are not simple but they are massive. This excavation was started in 2014. Till now two phases have been completed. The third phase of it may start in another few months. It is believed by most of the archaeologists that the next phase of excavation will give out more information about Tamil people and sangam era. 
The superintending archaeologist for this excavation is K Amarnath Krishna. He says that the finding of roulette pot shreds may be dated around 3 AD as the making this pots was stopped in rome in 1 AD. But the finding of house may date back to 3rd century AD

Conclusion

This the most important and major finding about the ancient Tamil people and sangam era. The findings here will join as an evidence to the oldness of Tamil. Further excavation will definitely bring out more evidence about the sangam era. The pottery, ornaments, toys and beads shows the kind of culture and lifestyle of Tamil people. I believe that this ancient settlement is older than that of Harappa.














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