The obverse and reverse sides of a gold stud discovered by archaeologists at Porpanaikottai in Tamil Nadu’s Pudukottai district. Photo: Special Arrangement
A gold stud, a bone level and a carnelian bead have been unearthed by archaeologists at Porpanaikottai in Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu, the place the State Archaeology Department has taken up excavation this 12 months.
A Sangam-age fort is believed to have existed on the web site.
The stud in floral design with six petals was discovered at a depth of 133 cm in one of many eight trenches dug on the web site. “The ornament, weighing 0.26 grams, was probably used as a nose stud and is an indication of the culture of the Sangam Age,” T. Thangadurai, Excavation Director, Porpanaikottai, informed The Hindu.
The bone level, discovered by archaeologists at Porpanaikottai in Tamil Nadu’s Pudukottai district, was most likely used for weaving. Photo: Special Arrangement
The bone level and the damaged piece of carnelian bead had been discovered at a depth of 140-160 cm in one other trench. The bone level, with pointed ends on each side and carvings, was most likely used for weaving, Mr. Thangadurai noticed.
Domestic commerce
The discovery of the pink round-shaped carnelian bead is a pointer to home commerce. “Carnelian beads have been found at Kodumanal and a few other places in Tamil Nadu. The stones were usually sourced from Gujarat,” he added.
The discovery of the pink round-shaped carnelian bead at Porpanaikottai in Tamil Nadu’s Pudukottai district is a pointer to home commerce. Photo: Special Arrangement
The excavation at Porpanaikottai was inaugurated by Thangam Thennarasu, Minister for Finance, who can also be in-charge of the Archaeology Department, on May 20.
A 3-course brick construction was unearthed inside a couple of days of digging. Over 150 antiques, together with potsherds, hopscotches, spouts, items of glass bangles and beads, a terracotta lamp, a coin, a spindle whorl and rubbing stone, moreover a few graffiti, have been discovered on the web site to this point.
Porpanaikottai, located about 6.5 km to the east of Pudukottai city, is likely one of the new websites the place the Department had taken up excavation this 12 months.
Existence of fort
Studies carried out on the web site utilizing Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), a distant sensing technique, had indicated {that a} fort had existed at Porpanaikottai. A habitation mound unfold over 1.26 hectares is believed to have existed throughout the fort. The excavation is presently focussed on this space.
Eight trenches, six of them in the properties owned by three individuals, are being dug presently. The excavation is being carried out by 35 employees underneath the supervision of Mr. Thangadurai and analysis students, A. Sudhakar, S. Munusamy and S. Bharath.
