Evidence unearthed at Pattanam tallies with references to ancient port of Muziris
Special Correspondent This discovery is a major breakthrough in Indian archaeology, says Tamil University Vice-Chancellor Chennai: Evidence unearthed at the Pattanam archaeological site tallies with references to the ancient port of Muziris in Sangam literature and with this evidence excavated in other "Tamizhakam" sites such as Korkai, Azhamkulam, Poompuhar and Arikamedu, according to a group of researchers.
A press release issued by the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) said that a group of multi-disciplinary experts from the Tamil University and Pondicherry University visited the Pattanam site on Monday. M. Rajendran, vice-chancellor, Tamil University, who led the team, said that the discovery was a major breakthrough in Indian archaeology.
"I am personally surprised to see the huge quantity of glass and semi-precious stone beads at Pattanam which goes well with those found at Kodumanal site excavated by the Tamil University," he said. The evidence unearthed at Pattanam definitely points to connections of the region with the Mediterranean world, West and South-East Asia and Sri Lanka.
Multi-disciplinary research The multi-disciplinary research carried out at Pattanam, he hoped, would help researchers understand the international trade mentioned in Sangam literature as well as the socio-cultural life of ancient India.
K. Rajan, eminent archaeologist and head of the Department of History, Pondicherry University, said that the dimensions of the bricks in the structures exposed at Pattanam and the triple-grooved roof tiles were akin to those found at contemporary Early Historic sites like Uraiyur, Kaveripattinam and Arikamedu.
The exceptionally fine quality of masonry and associated construction technology revealed the role of indigenous people in building up a flourishing trade network. The cultural transformation from the Iron Age to the Early Historic Period discernible at Pattanam was unique to Peninsular India, Dr. Rajan said.
The team included, among others, N. Athiyaman, professor and head of the Department of Marine Archaeology, Tamil University, and V.Selvakumar of the Epigraphy and Archaeology Department of Tamil University, also the co-director of the Pattanam excavations.