The recent excavation of a 5000-year old neolithic burial site in Sivaganga district has enthused archaeologists about the possibility of shedding more light on the obscure period of Tamil sangam age and early Pandyan kingdom. The findings centered around rare skeletal remains throw fresh clues into the life, culture and trade linkages during the dawn of civilization in ancient Tamilagam.
Background
- A team from Tamil Nadu’s archaeological department has discovered a human burial site dated to 3000 BCE near Thiruppuvanam village
- Preliminary findings reveal nearly 108 burial urns, skeletal fossils, graffiti symbols and shining carnelian beads across 2 acres indicating a flourishing neolithic settlement
Key Discovery Highlights
Evidence of Transition Phase
- The era of findings falls in the late Stone Age phase when humanity was transitioning from hunter-gatherer culture to early agricultural settlements as evident from grain and animal remains.
Trade Links with Indus Valley
- Presence of lapis lazuli beads, carnelian stones, quartz crystal indicative of primitive maritime trade network between neolithic south India and Indus Valley civilization in the north.
Proof for Megalithic Culture
- Burial pots, some over 3 feet tall, designed to hold mortal remains point to thriving megalithic (huge stone) culture practice amongst the ancient Tamils.
Clues into Early Pandyan Realm
- Symbols like sun, spearheads, fish carvings link the civilization to beginnings of Pandyan reign which formally originated in the 6th century BCE as per available inscriptions.
Comparison with Adichanallur Findings
- The only other major burial site of sangam era discovered earlier was Adhichanallur with similarities in black and red pottery, iron implements usage across both.
Significance of the Discovery
Filling Archaeological Gaps
- Proofs of urbanization in Tamil lands have been scarce in the 2000-500 BCE bracket compared to contemporary cultures like Indus valley or Mesopotamia.
- These rare funerary artefacts offer vital cultural insights into the missing links of ancient Tamil civilization before the common era.
Understanding Social Hierarchies
- Occurrence of differential urn sizes indicates possible caste system prevalence and occupational structure across the ancient society.
- Largest pots may have held community chieftains, smaller ones for ordinary tribesmen, tiny pots for enslaved folks.
Reimagining Sangam Era Achievements
- Findings shift back genesis of Tamil language and grammar by 3 millenniums indicating remarkable progress was made even during late stone ages.
- Similarly maritime trade ties evidence a proto globalized economy and navigation capabilities not hitherto ascribed to neolithic Indians.
Further Excavations Underway
Survey across Clustered Sites
- Multiple burial sites concentrated around Thiruppuvanam identified over 8 km stretch signal scope for more significant discoveries.
- Survey extent being expanded to comb Keeladi, Kodumanal, Gangaikondacholapuram linked to ancient Tamil civilization.
Scientific Analysis on Trail
- Sample artefacts sent to laboratories to determine precise period through radio carbon dating for accurate age confirmation and gene sequencing.
- Stratigraphical soil studies, DNA tests of remains to trace ancestral connections of the millennia-old inhabitants underway.
Key Details
- Location: Thiruppuvanam village, Sivaganga district
- Time Period: 3000 BCE (5000 years ago)
Key Findings
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- 108 burial urns in single site
- Beads made from carnelian, quartz, steatite
- Graffiti symbols including sun, fish, spears
- Red and black pottery pieces
Interpretations
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- Prevalent megalithic culture and early maritime trade era
- Clues to origins of 1st Pandyan kingdom
- Caste hierarchy in matured phase
Associated Excavations
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- Keeladi
- Kodumanal
- Adhichanallur
The rare neolithic graveyard throws more light into the missing dots of India’s south peninsular history also subverting colonial notions that disparaged Tamils as historically disconnected from the Indian mainlands. As excavations deep dive for more vital remnants, the emerging clues promise to push back the glory days of the Tamil lands by atleast another 5000 years fitting Sangam literature descriptions of the land existing since several yugams long before the traditionally identified timeline.
