Keezhadi
Keeladi
கீழடி Keezhadi, Keelady | |
|---|---|
village | |
  Keeladi Location in Tamil Nadu, India | |
| Coordinates: 9°51′47″N 78°10′56″E / 9.8630727°N 78.1820931°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Sivaganga |
| Block | Thirupuvanam |
| Government | |
| • Body | Panchayat |
| Elevation | 123 m (404 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 5,140 |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 630611 |
| Telephone code | 0452 |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Sivaganga |
Keeladi, also spelled Keezhadi, is a small village near Silaiman on the border between Madurai and Sivagangai districts in Tamil Nadu, India. Palli Chandai is a famous location near Keeladi.It has some evidence of old Madurai based on its location in Sangam literature.
An Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavation in Keeladi revealed an ancient settlement dated tentatively 1000 BC to 3rd Century B.C.[1][2] The Roman artifacts found at the site add to the evidence of ancient trade relations between the Romans and the Pandya kingdom.[3]
Archaeological findings
Since 2013, archaeological excavation has been carried out from Theni to Ramanathapuram along the banks of the Vaigai.[4] An estimated 293 sites have been identified including temples, ports, small settlements and commercial sites.[5] In March 2016, a group of archaeologists from Excavation Branch VI of the Archaeological Survey of India was able to excavate a major settlement which appears to have been an industrial or commercially important settlement area near Keezhadi. The settlement is estimated to have covered around eighty acres Tamil culture
The initial study suggests that the settlement must have been between early 3rd Century BC to 10th century A.D for industrial purposes, although further study on the archaeological remains may shed more light on the dating of the civilization. Wells, red brick walls, pottery, ornaments including bone accessories, iron spears, and a ceramic tile with a Tamil inscription were found.This find will highlight the brilliance of ancient Tamil civilization,indicating the advanced lifestyle of Tamil ancestors.
The use of fired brick, the size of the building complex, an array of pots placed in such a way that it must have been used either as a lamp or for painting, and other finds suggest that the settlement is of a more civilized population than was previously suspected during the Sangam period.[2][6]
Controversy
The team of archaeologists who were involved in the excavation were transferred by ASI which raised controversy and uproar in Tamil Nadu. With the artifacts taken from the site and the archaeologist being transferred, doubt was raised as to if the project would be dropped. However, recently ASI has deliberately finalized the transfer and new officer has taken charge for the project despite not having prior knowledge of the project.[7] The recent news also tells that there is extension to the project for 5 years and that Rs.40 lakhs is allocated for this. The final reports of first two years of research will be released as a book as per the latest news.[8] Major Political parties like DMK urged ASI to continue with the excavation and the motive of ASI to stop the excavation is being questioned after making a significant progress.
Notes and references
- ^ Shrikumar, A. (19 August 2015). "A dead city beneath a living village". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Johnbosco, Arockiaraj (29 May 2016). "Harappa-like site surfaces in Tamil Nadu". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Annamalai, S. (18 June 2015). "Uncovered: Pandyas-Romans trade link". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "'Sangam-era site at Keezhadi is as complex as Indus Valley, proof of a glorious Tamil civilisation'".
- ^ "Keezhadi excavation: what was found and what they mean".
- ^ "சங்க காலத்திலேயே வெளிநாடுகளோடு வர்த்தகம்: வணிகப் பெருவழிப் பாதையில் அமைந்த நகரம்" [Associated with Overseas Trade: Traderoute within City Pandyas]. The Hindu (in Tamil). 26 July 2015.
- ^ http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2017/apr/24/transfer-of-keezhadi-excavation-site-archaeologist-final-says-asi-1597000.html
- ^ http://tamil.oneindia.com/news/tamilnadu/keezhadi-excavation-continues-5-yrs-minister-mahesh-sharma-281188.html
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