Third phase of excavations begins at Keezhadi under new archaeologist

The Keezhadi archaeological site, which is situated close to River Vaigai, had provided ample proof for the existence of a civilisation along the river even 2,500 years ago. The excavation commenced in June 2015 and in the first phase as many as 42 pits of 10.5 metres depth were dug.

During the first phase, 600 artefacts were unearthed from the site in Keezhadi. Ring wells, glass beads, palm leaf manuscripts, coins, walls and many others were among the artefacts that were unearthed during the excavations. 

The second phase of excavations commenced in January 2016. It threw up a voluminous cache of more than 5,000 artefacts. They provided sufficient proof of the existence of a thriving civilisation nearly 2,500 years ago. The interesting find was the existence of bathrooms with well-connected drainage system like that of Harappan Civilisation. This find confirmed the importance of the site in the evolution of civilisations down south.

When the second phase of excavations ended, permission was granted for the third phase in January 2017. However, controversies started surrounding the third phase of work, when the superintending archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishnan, who was in-charge of the Keezhadi site excavations, was transferred to Assam. The move was widely criticised.

Some of the progressive and rationalistic organisations claimed that the Centre was trying to erase the fact that there was no proof for the existence of a place of worship or idol at the site. They further charged that Amarnath was transferred just to plant proofs of existence of places of worships at the site. They argued that the ancient Tamil society was devoid of God and rituals and the Centre wanted to cover up this fact. 

However, the Union government rejected their claims and said that it was a routine transfer. Minister for Tourism and Culture Mahesh Sharma visited Keezhadi recently and assured that the third phase of the excavation would commence shortly. 

Based on the assurance, the excavation works recommenced at Keezhadi on Saturday under the supervision of the newly-appointed superintending archaeologist PS Sriraman, in-charge of the Keezhadi site. The officials said that four trenches in an area of 400 square metres would be dug initially, which would be extended further. The excavation would go on till the commencement of north-east monsoon, said the official.