- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has approved Tamil Nadu’s request to continue excavations at four locations including Keeladi.
- This development is expected to bridge the 1000 years gap in history between the Sangam Age and the Indus Valley civilization.
- The excavation will be undertaken at the following sites:
- Keeladi–
- Located in the Sivaganga district on the banks of river Vaigai.
- It is an urban settlement of the Sangam Age.
- Kodumanal-
- The village is located in Erode district, TN.
- A flourishing ancient trade city is known as Kodumanam (as inscribed in Pathitrupathu of Sangam Literature).
- It is located on the northern banks of the Noyyal River (a tributary of the Cauvery).
- Sivagalai-
- Village in the Tuticorin district, TN.
- It was once known as ‘Small Ceylon’ by the Britishers.
- Evidence of megalithic archaeological remains was found here in 2018.
- Adichanallur-
- Located in Thoothukudi district, TN.
- In 2004, iron-age (1500 BC to 500 BC) burial sites were unearthed by ASI from here.
- Keeladi–
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
- ASI is the premier organization for archaeological research, scientific analysis, excavation of archaeological sites, and conservation and preservation of protected monuments.
- It is an attached office under the Department of Culture, Ministry of Culture.
- ASI was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI.
Sangam Age
- The word ‘Sangam’ is the Tamil form of the Sanskrit word ‘Sangha’ which means a group of persons or an association.
- The Sangam literature was largely consolidated from the third Sangam and throws information on the conditions of life of people around the beginning of the Christian era.
- The Age of the Sangam is the age to which the Sangam literature belonged.