Madurai
Members of the Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation (RARF), who found the brick structure, have urged the state archaeological department to carry out extensive excavation in the area to gather more details about the site.
RARF regularly conducts ‘Heritage Walk’ events to spread awareness about the importance of historical structures among students and public. The brick structure was found during the fourth edition of ‘Heritage Walk’ held this month.
The foundation stated that the brick structure must have been a part of a fort built sometime around 13th century during the reign of Pandyan rulers and later occupied by Muthu Vijaya Ragunatha Sethupathi.
Speaking to DTNext, V Rajaguru, president, RARF, said, “The Sethupathi king, who ruled from 1711 to 1725 AD, built a hexagonal-shaped fort with the help
of French engineers.”
Describing the brick structure located near a pond inside the fort, Rajaguru said clay mortar had been used to bind and seal the gaps. The dimensions of the brick, which measure 23 cm in length, 13.5 cm in breadth and 5 cm in height, indicate that the structure could be of the medieval period.
Stating that the characteristics of the brick structure suggest that it might have been a basement of the 13th century fort, Rajaguru said, “Remains of clay pots belonging to the Sangam era were also found around the pond.”
Since Sangam era artefacts have been discovered in the area, the state archaeological department should undertake a detailed excavation at the site, which had flourished for several centuries, Rajaguru said.
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