Chennai: The fact that Keezhadi in Sivagangai district had one of the best industrial and socio-economic infrastructure until 2600 years ago would have remained concealed if the antiques found during initial excavations were taken for granted. Citing similar characteristics of Keezhadi excavation, the people of Thirupanjanam at Keezh Vellore called on the Archaeological department to carry out an excavation there. Recently, local villagers had found ancestral jar burials while reclaiming soil to dig a pond.
Swaminathan, a resident of Thirupanjanam of Andhankudi panchayat next to Keezhvellore in Nagai district, had recently dug his land to set up a pond. While doing so, discovered some antique jars buried in the soil. However, soon Swaminathan was forced to halt digging due to other circumstances.
But when he resumed digging a year later, he found more jars to his surprise. Having immediately informed the Keezhvellore Tahsildar about this, Swaminathan, with the help of fellow villagers, retrieved a 5-feet tall jar burial in an unbroken state. On examining the jar burial archaeologists found clay and human bones inside. The jar burials and other antiquities were collected by the archaeologists and secured at the Keezhvellore Tahsildar’s office for further study.
Also Read: 2,000-year-old skeleton found in sixth-phase from Keezhadi excavation site
Commenting on this, the villagers said, “The discovery of jars in our village has caught us by surprise. In a similar incident, a few years ago, an idol was dug out while digging up a pond. Also, a statue of Buddha was found in the neighbouring village while clearing land. A lot of jar in a broken state has been discovered. Likewise, this land presents us with antiquities wherever it is being dug.”
The villagers requested that the antiquities discovered in Thirupanjanam should not only be safeguarded but also be taken for advanced researches which could reveal the origins of the Tamil population, not only just in Thirupanjanam but beyond that as well. Also, they requested the government to initiate archaeological excavation and research in the area.
Mythological stories, poetries and literature would stand as rootless trees without the support of the archaeological and historical evidence. Archaeologists say that a person who is unaware of history cannot lead a better life as history is the only source through which we could understand the evolution of a civilisation. If archaeological research, similar to that at Keezhadi, is carried out at Thirupanjanam, there is a high possibility for Tamil Nadu to attract global attention.
