ASI approves excavation at 8 sites in Tamil Nadu, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) approved excavations at eight sites in Tamil Nadu on March 13, following a proposal by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) submitted in July 2025.
• Keeladi, near Madurai, will enter its 11th phase of excavation, with previous findings dating back to the 6th century BCE.
• The sites include Vellalore in Coimbatore, Nagapattinam, Pattinamarudur, Manikkollai, Thelungarpalayam, Adichanallur, and Karivalamvanthanallur, representing diverse historical periods and activities.
• The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 7 crore in its 2025-26 budget for archaeological work, including advanced scientific analyses.

Detailed Insights:

• The excavation approval followed months of discussions between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre, with Chief Minister M K Stalin emphasizing the state's persistent efforts to secure the clearances.
• The approved sites offer a chance to connect various aspects of Tamil Nadu's history, from burial sites and early metallurgy to urban settlements and maritime trade, showcasing a civilization rooted regionally and connected globally.
• Keeladi has revealed evidence of an urban settlement with Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, brick structures, and drainage systems, challenging previous assumptions about the Sangam era's chronology.
• Vellalore suggests trade links with the Mediterranean world through findings like Roman coins, while Nagapattinam reflects Chola-era port activity and Buddhist influences.
• Manikkollai shows long-distance trade to Southeast Asia via Indo-Pacific glass beads, and Thelungarpalayam is significant for Iron Age metallurgy, with studies suggesting early iron usage in Tamil Nadu.
• Adichanallur, an Iron Age burial site, and Karivalamvanthanallur contribute to understanding early settlement patterns and mortuary practices in the region.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): An Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
• Sangam Era: A period in the history of ancient Tamil Nadu, spanning roughly from the 3rd century BCE to the 4th century CE, known for its rich literary and cultural output.
• Tamil-Brahmi: An early form of the Brahmi script used to write the Tamil language, found in inscriptions dating back to the early centuries BCE.

Keeladi