Iron Age Site Discovered in Tamil Nadu Excavation

Recent excavations by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) at Thirumalapuram in Tenkasi district have revealed Iron Age burial site near the Western Ghats. Preliminary findings suggest that the site may date back to the early to mid-third millennium BCE. This discovery adds to the understanding of prehistoric cultures in Tamil Nadu, comparable to other ancient sites like Adichanallur and Sivagalai.

Location and Extent of the Site

The burial site spans approximately 35 acres. It is situated about 10 kilometres northwest of the current Thirumalapuram village. The site lies between two seasonal streams originating from the Western Ghats near Kulasegarapereri tank. This strategic location may have influenced settlement and burial practices during the Iron Age.

Excavation Details and Artefacts

During the first excavation season, archaeologists opened 37 trenches. They uncovered a stone slab chamber made of 35 slabs forming a rectangular structure. This chamber contained urn burials filled with cobblestones to a depth of 1.5 metres. The team found a variety of ceramics in graves and as grave goods. These included white-painted black-and-red ware, red ware, red-slipped ware, black-polished ware, and coarse red ware.

Unique Pottery and Symbolism

A distinctive feature of the site is the presence of white-painted designs on black-and-red ware, black ware, and black-slipped ware. Such decoration was previously noted at sites like T. Kallupatti, Adichanallur, and Korkai. Symbols on the urns were notable. One red-slipped pot depicted dotted designs representing a human figure, a mountain, a deer, and a tortoise. These motifs may provide vital information about the beliefs and environment of the time.

Metal and Bone Artefacts

The excavation yielded 78 antiquities made from bone, gold, bronze, and iron. Items included tweezers, swords, spearheads, gold rings, axes, daggers, chisels, bone heads, and arrowheads. Three tiny gold rings were discovered inside an urn at a shallow depth of 0.49 metres. Each ring measured 4.8 millimetres in diameter and weighed less than one milligram, indicating advanced craftsmanship.

Chronological Significance

While the exact dating is pending scientific analysis, comparisons with nearby sites such as Sivagalai and Adichanallur suggest the site belongs to the early to mid-third millennium BCE. This places Thirumalapuram among the earliest known Iron Age cultures in Tamil Nadu. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of prehistoric settlement patterns and cultural developments in South India.