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® Bulletin of the Department of Museums Chenaai Prof, T. Balakrishnan Nayar Memorial Endowment Lecture On Archaeological Excavations in Tamil Nadu Recent Trends » Or. $. Rajavel. Proforsor, Department of Maritime Histor? ‘and Marine Archsaoloay, ‘Tamil University, Thanjavar Published by The Directors Department of Museums, Government Museum, Chennai - 600 008. January - 2017 Bulletin of the Department of Museums Chennai Prof. T.Balakrishnan Nayar Memorial Endownient Lecture on Archaeological Excavations in Tamil Nadu Recent Trends by DrS.Rajavem, Professor, Department of Maritime History smd Marine Archaealogy, Tamil Caiversiey, Thanjavur Published by The Director Department of Museums, Chennai-600 008, January 2017 Egmore, Chennai - 800 008. Tol.: 044 - 26498778 Fax: Gad — 28193035, e.Matl: [email protected] Dr-D, Jagannathan, |A.8. Director, Cepartment of Muscums, Torguord thie (. Balokeishnanan Nayar Mercosial Cndasyment was. instiuted by ‘Tint. eiteyi Remaducal and Rs, 10,000/- was doposiwed for tre irstituiun uf the Rndewanert per 6.0.MiNo.19 Tami Development and Culture (SO) Department di.17.01.1985 #0 condust the Esdowment leuture in tie subjecte camely Archaeology, Anhropotogy, Nemismaties or Maseolagy. So fer, 14 lootures wer conde, ‘Thies ‘T. Tslokrishrnan Nayar populeely kaowa as Prof. LB, Nayar was a part time [Numissaaties curator in we Governanent Muscum, Chena [le was a forrser professor of hisnry in the resdoncy Cooge, Crennal. Several uistinguised scholaes delivered the Prof, ¢. Baskr'shnanan Nayur Merial Faduswoent Lecure frown 1885, This ete deals witk “Archaeolagical excavations in Tarsil Nadu- Recent Trends". (speaks bout hove the early antiquarian ar enthusiasts paved Cre way for he systometio achacolagical search fc India, The author las ment.cuod about the excavations in Palace!‘ sites, ites, Neolithic Ses, [ron Age and Farly Histosis sites. Adhiclclanaila: is ast importer exwavuied site in die Kitory of Archaeology of Tan:il Covey, Alsgenkulam, Karan, Arikainedu, Tie Mameligparaa, Valls, Vasavasammuck coated sites of early Bisrie peri vilue, Kanshipum, Kegumsnal, Poruniai, Saluvankuppum ns Mamallypursm ace some af, the iexpurtant Dr. SRajuvela is presently working as Deaf Martine Acchugology and tin the Department of Mavtime History and fey Foean of Manuseciptalogy, Tumi: Universily Thanjavur. Before jolaing in he eachicy, line Se buss served in the Bigrarly branck ef Archacologteal Survey of India ia the capacity of Epigraphist, He ces writen end edited 20 bouks end published 90 research aries: io veriows reputed coal und fetereanional journals, A book on Archseslagical Pxcuvations in Tamil Nasi in Tarn as eoeived the Tam Naéu Sate Awacd i the year 1980. T hope it wil bn usolul stuns to vrderstand varios excavations conducted in Tamil. Nact. ( apptoc‘ate Jutotesting and infeuesasive lecture, Jory and cultare ‘rough the er for delivering en NG hace piece Arehaeological excavations in Tamil Nadu- Recent Trends Eva suze the foundation nf A: ie seviety of Bengal al Cutouts in the year $62 ky clin ones (1746.94) a ivi! servant of the Bast Inéia Compauy, the Brctish officers had lumed theie attention te keow the evstezus al caanneczs ef she Indian soety site the help of inumerwble source misters avsilable in the foLm of insctigrions, seligioes te seobitectoral wealth as well as hurler sensins for their smoot adminisration ia the Ceolonial Indis. They ventured their attempt widh tt hefp of avail lisersey evidences and Suured t0 dg, mony important anctent cities cefeered ta in the Makabbaraty Ramayana eed Buddhist Ltoretare in Novth fais, Besides systematic survey were enade by the British adiuinistrative officiel 1 inmtmerabie archacological sites and untiqait swhiah wee sitber on the surface or underneath the seil for u tong time which have bees uneauthed by them inthe for of excavations. ‘The Gnalings were offen pubfisted in the Volumes of tho Asie Rescate, Those eal cutharins or cusiats paved the way for he asec auchseslogical reeetet. in tein Around IEC, Vessura, che “Ialiamtrench genet of Maharaja Rint Sing af Punjab excreted a Supa at Munikysla in Ravcalpindi Distt of Present Hekisian “This was tae tiest sxeawathin in the inxfopercese tndia (Tesh b, L929) ‘The Brits: Gavesnment in India established the Archaenlogi Survey of adn ane appointed Alexander Cunniughirn as the fi-si Disector General far Acchacology is-the your IS61. Alexaacer Cunnicgham mainly concestraved ou the heri‘age sites and monuments with ths Sight oF Buddl:it Giteramures and other writen sen Due €9 the cmoxzeuce, Of the Archaclagie Survey of India. the indepevelent aattquarinn's rehes were eonsiderahiy recaged, The'r covrritunions were not supmorte€ hy the Govern In the bepinni ‘ill an ains of evovering che artetnets, coins and inscriptions ane boilding resis, No sstornade sciuetiPe avcavations weve eared out by Arclncelyicai Serecy of lds tatil 141 , Lord Curzon was appointed as the Vivery of Talia, He dtl shawn bis keen intrest 19 proteet and preserve the Tria vitege. Cor eppoivisd 8 John Marshall as the Ditseter « al of Archevalogival Survey of india, Marshall vam tor Excavations of many incest ding Haveppa and Mobenje-Davo, During his regime, The Ancieet Moeuments and Presorvation Act an# Conservatian Cae have toon famed, Macy archeculocieal stes have been prutocted ie India during his regime as Dirwelor Geneval South Endian Archacology Im South Tndie, the fire! scholar who studied the eo.ns 6 Mabuhalipunam in, 1772 was Williara Chacnbers, He was followod ty many amingat axxd pmafesiorml scholars like ¢ klingham, Cofin Meckeuzie, Thomas Danicl ex Walter (liu These sobolots mainly oncentquled on ghe ancjont atckitectursi euins, collected ancient cuins and ihe writin Abcarerts Tike inscriptions and Psim leaves. Though the Bist clealy cecaguized Psluaolihic implement mast probably mictolith, discovered by Me. Le rier an exygneer of Railway Deperemant in the your 186] in the Vinny regia, The first early Palaeolithic teol wes sliscoverod by Robert Bruce Foow, a geologist of the Geological Survey at nia, cx years Inter ie, on 30" May 1863 in a g1ave! pic at Pallavaree wory near Chongal which is ‘considered! 49 he the most significant discovery in che history of Indian Fe biswory (Foote 1286), Tonle continued bis survey i emtine South Indiv and gumed the marae es "Tatler of Bis History”, Foote and 1 eennber of die Survey ready intensive Felé survey io the Valley of Kevtalaigar River ané found 9 lage numbs of Palnealithie tools insite at Auizimpekiann and ts vin y. Rut he was sever eoogrized ky she Asch ological § ¥ ‘of Thi tke prime.mest Goverment Ageney in Tria a: hat te. insiced, t1e Gnerremout Me sm al Eigicore of the erstchile Maras 2 ney haa tecoucized Faoss's cunleibutie and published his findiys in te cata ee Thamks (0 Gaverneent Museam, Femere tor its «wtah paved the way for lurther roscavelies in Lhe field of Pee hishory of facha by the tater sotetars, As wrest of Foote’s contributions, fuer vxplirssions and excavations bm carried out by teany scholars. The remesmts of artefacts fram Palaeolithic period to late medieval period hevs beew found in many places of Tam Wau und subsequently have been ehosen for excavations, Neatly one Iundred axé sie sites of various periods tasginus fom Falacolithi to late medieval period have heen exnavated by various ayensies including Archacological survey ol indix and the Stats Depuriment of Archacology tll dvte in Tamil ly bistoric sites, The reason ‘Noclu. Thr Bxcavators conventrated mainly to fron Age an boebiind this is very simple. Fur sm urchacologist, itis easy tw locale the megatiths Ulmin Age sstinblayes) en the oorfice level ise’ and the Sangaus Iiterutere give some che ro leat the ‘arly histori sites. Nerve: two third of excavated siles in ‘Lami Nadu were cites associated with Dusial complexes (megaliths) oc sefeerec ty in che Sangaen i accidental discoveries neve wood result for further systematic and scientific diggings. For ature. Resides. some icstawe, Suluvankuppers, Alogankular, Arikkamedu, Pallavancects acd Tirevamatier te CAR) are some of the habitation sites wf early histovie perind in Tail coummey chnsen for digging ftom the aceidem flnd.nge through exploretions Patacolithic sites The Kottehivar od tor fom nas “ULc:uvallur seas widely eoneemts sudy of Poiaco‘ithis Age, Pucloesing RIB. Foo steps, Sie Lisslog'sts ike De Terra. Vt. Patera, LA. Camvins ana Ula Brkir's eorcributioms 0 Pre Siosary are nonawort hy. (Camarines snd Busil, 1930}, Thay stadiel tae Cuoleyicl “ere lirmatigns of she Hs-gowsilee sites on the Korluluisur Tsin, Scientific excavations hast also be (LAK 962 65, pI; LAR 1962-64 p.19), Attiumnpuickan: LAR 1964-65, pp.21-22. TAR 1998 99, pp, 149155; TARI99-2000, ap 50-51: Avancer-I3, 2002 ppi2J-L531, Vadamaducai GAR 1966-67, pp20-22), Poondi sed Neyvefi (IA, 1966-66 p.24), In this conneetton ¥.1. Krishussweny's cocvibution to Pecaeulilkéc shulfes is a pice of guidelines Gor rurther restamch in this rca, (Aneler« lndia-Vol. 3). Recemily, The Shama Cente for Ueri nd Environment (SCLIL} explored these Palacolithic sites and cauied out excavations ul Atticumpakkam and its surcoundings. JAR 1998-99, pp.149-153; EAR 1999-2000, pp, (50-51), In tkeae investigations the SCETT lund foot prints of anna iu association with Auheulian type of stone tools in a staified level ‘The discovery of the fossil tooth of bovid hel (water buffalo} is signticant one (Pappu 2092), Ie is to be soicemered exe thst RD. Toate has alzcady rvcaverce & piece of humart tibia with the poleo!itas in his eld explorations in the above place which gives the clue of human activity diving Palaeolidis pariod in the Madkas cogion, Seine of the rock shelters in the Gudiyers of Alliku re witaeseal el tie gock shelters in all probabkilty used as a temporary shelters af Pre bittorie run. Je the year 2001 cof Saaman baby skull ceded with a Gerricuete deposit ul place culled Odi inVillupeum L2istriet vf Lami mada by Rajend F Ue Depecutent of Kerala University is icteresting ce. Te uli that it may belong 10 Middle to Upper Jelstoccag pesied aperoxiunacaiy dated w 1, 66, 000 years BLP. This Finliags suggest the huis setvites in To-all Nel Fram the time wf Viele or Upper Pleistocene epoch, The fscoverer of this huby skell a: Qdai cluimed tke skull heionged tr archi ome sapiens (ive roan} Cat Mesolithic sites (Microliths) aouyl: Taouts Nixlu witnessed many inferulkic sinss of Mesolithic period through explorations as surdace callecons. No systematic excavations hive been carnieg out ji the infest ‘of Tamil nae easier. The Tert sit in the Coestal aren of Ticusch and Reranatiapursin regions are Samous fi raicroitts, (Ancis India, 12, pp4-20), Ader ther systematic explorations: reveal the wide spreading a mieroithie ev.ture in Tanail country. The Korileiyar region paniculaely, the Gndigan cave wren already witnessed some mierolits Gwugh excavations which was coasiucted by Dhunetjae cerlier. Recently, Tamil University as also recovered some 1 ralths for MayileCumparsi Dtenapur Distr Rajank and AdhiyesanN, 2011) and atthe eomnpus of Tamil Uicversity itself in a smal seule exeavations mar VellaryPillayespati. (Selvakumar 2014), The expert tam of the Sharma Cenlrs for Hevtage and Pavieenmncet cari oul sone tet pits in the Sovmyarparans aot (AIR 2012-03, pj They found hy microlidhie artefacts on the strface oF the laterite uravels. It was firmed in the early stey. Neolithic Sites ‘The next period we come seross in Tarail Nad is Neolithic. Aller the diseavery ol: polished hard ms> made wf the rave mate Bisail by Robert Bruce Feoke st Aeakouatn i Vellore District, (R.B.Foste,1916) large number vf Neolithic sites have Seon discovered in Torail Nadu by may scholars. The Neallthic Cufaue nesly spread ts the region af nontheca yarl of Tamil Nadu comprising of present Vellore, Thinwallur, Katchipuram, Chota Thitcvannimala}, Vulupurum, Dhariaapuri, Krishnagit! and &: S.R. Raw and B.Narasinksih of cclogieal Servey ladle male some prelicinsay exertions in ie ous af Vellore sad Dlarmapesi Listriets ut Paiyenpeli AR I964-55:22-93, ALIOAT-AS:26-Up is ine Shererzovaa lulls in Vetlore Discriet Stow she deveurcenee! of manizind Bocn aysneaze vo the sotlee life. ths Neolithic people state to cultivate or sie fino vt sete in the fet Els They msed sain water for icigatiom purpose, They cultivated fearse gran aed green grain dy seleced fot of she Wis for their setiemient, One ean see the developer of cwomkind duing this peviod. Ven became Ex producer Som fond guthering stage, they vomcestic‘ed animals and ved inthe pits with aostbolss around the periphery for thaching the reo of grass, ‘They used to wuk Ene variety of poised stone tas lor phn dhe Jauds, picking the wuts a he pasts an hunting wid erinals. Nelithie Mar. the ant of snaking bandorade potueries. The Potiery wat know as bused y le roy wares in or pa ihe y Mase of Neolithic culture. Ta the late phase of Neolithic pera ane ean soe dhe development inthe paler making. The burnished pry ware was pradually repbiced by Ret ‘wave vaviety in the late phase, Some of the tezaoors figures wf female recovered foe dhe Neolithic satus at Paiyampull, ane Mohur suggest shat the people waishiped mother goddess or practiced ancestor's worshia, B.Na-asimnbaiah erie’ gut some soadk excavations or section surapings in Tallanaalai, Togureppali 5. They hekmg 6 Netthie Mailikkadu in Daarmapi Di peried. Ie clasitied the potleries of Neolithic potiod in to five siajor types oi the hasis of their viclation and cslour eombinsrions, Lacy are mostly red. aa, arey at brown and Buck wares. (B.Narssintwish, 1980 pp.26-59) Tan University and the Department of State Archaeology cared aul sucte exci. vations im He Risieiely ol Kcishagitt and Dhermapar, la this connection, the ex dons of Mayilntuymparsi und Mudur ure. nole sarthy. These xcawations sagaes: Gat the narthecs pail of Tauil Nada witnesses the wide speeud ot Reclthie eum This is the period cvot uns: communicsted sie fiengs and astivsios che painlings on te sure. They msed sty coleee plgrnents and ved wsiee forthe! dee on Ge bare sur oF the Toeks, Mostly Rrcting seeze af animels i Sigurd én these paintings. Though reek paintings in tadin is datul:le 19 Mesolie periad wittested at TikEmbotsa in Mauslhys Pradesh (Jacobsen 1980), We de no ust coue aoross the evidence ot rock onl of M ike 18 in ‘Tamil Nacln. However some af the ced ochre pgwcents om the rock steters of Kilvelai and Setaverai urea of Vilhyauare Districts may be eetsidened te tht period Chaleotihie phase Scholars thought ital Tusil Nada did not come uenoss solid remnants of | haloolithie phase as witnessed elsesbere in Karatuky and Andhra rgioa, This culture isan intortedate pse hereon Neolithic and Megalithis Cullues, Accorsing the scala, te assosation of ash mous whic is peculiar © dhe Chulkotibie phase is tral absent tn Tamil a, However the excavations at T.Ralhuppati, cear Malina rove the fact thatthe traces of Ctaleotitic culture aecuma’ in Timi Nosh in sporaiie eunner. The Departtent of Anefont History anl Archuology of Universigy of Madnis carried out exeavetons at Appubkullu in tae year 1980, whiet yielded sume Neolithic Celts in the early pkuse. (TAR). The excavators fels thet this site vos predomiicamly assignable to Lsaa Age eul:ure De. A. Sundar of Kamataka Univeesty, an eminent sebolar ta ee field of poe history of South india visite ts site Appekkaile aleag wit the aur, after beating the news of he discawvery of a dozen eopper antenna swords which were rec sd during the query w in the Hil, adjaven: ro the excavated sites at Appuikkelhy, (Avaaanl2: 14, 2662) He suggested thal she Sie Appukkallu is zssaclated with Ciwlowtibie phase in Tamil Coury ‘he soil em the foo" of the ils whore tke exertions i taker place is similar te the as