2,000-year-old skeleton found in sixth-phase from Keezhadi excavation site

A 2,000-year-old skeleton in a sitting posture was unearthed during the sixth phase of excavation at Keezhadi in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga district. Vice-Chancellor of the Madurai Kamaraj University M Krishnan told that the findings will be published by the university after the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department's approval.

Sivaganga (Tamil Nadu): The Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department has found a 2,000-year-old skeleton buried in a sitting posture during the sixth phase of excavation at Keezhadi in Sivaganga district.

The team conducting the exploration included: Vice-Chancellor of the Madurai Kamaraj University M Krishnan, Professor Balakrishnan (Department of Microbiology), Retired Anthropology Professor Pichappan, Professor Rajan (Department of Archaeology), Sivanantham, Assistant Director of Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department and Assistant Archaeologist Asaitambi Baskaran.

Vice-Chancellor M Krishnan told reporters, "Professors of the Madurai Kamaraj University are participating in the on-going sixth phase of excavation next to Keezhadi, on this Konthagai burial site. The bones found here in the earthen urns have been collected and sent for DNA research. Furthermore, preliminary data has also revealed that a skeleton is buried here in a sitting posture."

"Once its full structure is retrieved we will publish the chronological accounts of it after conducting proper studies. All of the researchers here are working together and are currently assessingas to how to extract it in full shape without causing any damages to the main structure, " added Krishnan.

He also said that the findings will be published by the Madurai Kamaraj University after the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department's approval.

Additionally, detail studies are underway to ascertain if the skeletal remains are similar to the ones found in Rakhigarhi of the state of Haryana.

The Excavation team is working tirelessly and patiently so that the structure doesn't get damaged in the process.

The DNA testing will be done in Madurai Kamaraj University, whereas, carbon dating will be done in collaboration with the Harvard University and Australian University.