Excavations to continue at archaeological sites in TN

A public interest litigation petition filed by S Kamaraj alias Muthalankurichi Kamaraj of Seydunganallur, Thoothukudi district came up for hearing before a division bench of Justices R Mahadevan andSS Sundar.

The petitioner sought directions to continue archaeological excavations at Athichanallur and Sivakalai, Srivaikuntam taluk, Thoothukudi district and also at 37 other sites along the banks of Tamiraparani to know about the ancientTamil civilization.

During excavations done in 2004 at Athichanallur, a team of experts unearthed 160 urns, which contained rudimentary Tamil Brahmi scripts dating back to 100 BC-200 BC. Besides, a considerable number of iron weapons, gold ornaments, bronze material and other valuables used in pre-historic times were also unearthed. Further, a three-tier burial system was also discovered with urns containing human skeletons dated back to 3,800 years.

Citing these facts, the petitioner sought the bench to direct Director, Exploration and Excavation, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi to permit Commissioner, Department of Archaeology, Tamil Nadu to continue excavations at these sites.

After hearing, the bench orderedauthorities concerned to continue archaeological excavations without any hindrance other than unavoidable circumstances orreasonable causes. “Any lack of attention in such excavations will, no doubt, pave way for loss of what we have so far excavated as to the Tamil civilization,” Justice Mahadevan observed.