Excavation Sites of Sangam Age

• 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.

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.