Keeladi Excavation Tamil Nadu

The Keeladi excavation is an ongoing archaeological project in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, India. It has become significant for uncovering evidence of an ancient urban civilization that thrived on the banks of the Vaigai river during the Sangam age.

Key Findings:

• Urban settlement: Excavations have revealed a well-planned urban settlement with brick structures, terracotta ring wells, and evidence of various industries like pottery, weaving, dyeing, and bead-making.
• Pottery and inscriptions: Significant amounts of pottery have been unearthed, including over 120 potsherds with Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, indicating the presence of literacy and the long survival of the script in the region.
• Advanced craftsmanship and trade: Findings like gold and copper ornaments, semi-precious stone beads (agate, carnelian), and ivory artifacts point to the existence of skilled artisans and evidence of both internal and external trade networks, including potential connections with the Roman Empire.
• Dating of the Sangam Age: Carbon dating of artifacts has pushed back the estimated timeline of the Sangam age, with some findings suggesting the existence of a civilization dating back to 580 BCE. This challenges previous assumptions about the timeline of urbanization and cultural development in South India. 

Significance:

• Rewriting history: The Keeladi findings provide strong evidence of an advanced urban civilization in Tamil Nadu during the Sangam period, potentially challenging previous narratives about the early history of South India.
• Support for Sangam literature: The discoveries at Keeladi provide tangible evidence to support the descriptions of life and society found in Sangam literature.
• Potential links to Indus Valley: Some similarities in symbols found on Keeladi artifacts and those of the Indus Valley Civilization have been noted, although further research is needed to establish any direct links.
• High literacy levels: The presence of Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions on potsherds indicates a high level of literacy among the population. 

Controversy and Current Status:

• Controversy surrounding the report: There have been disagreements regarding the dating of certain findings and the interpretation of the excavation results. Some political controversies have also arisen related to the excavation.
• Ongoing excavation and research: The excavation work is ongoing, with new discoveries being made in each phase. As of June 2024, the tenth phase of excavation was underway.
• Museum established: A museum has been established near the site to display the artifacts unearthed from the excavation. However, the Keeladi excavation site is currently temporarily closed.