Tamil civilization moving towards Sind around 2600 BCE has come to the fore from the excavations in Keezhadi, Tamil Nadu. The site is barely 13 kilometres from Madurai on the banks of Vaigai river and Sivaganga route. The excavations have caused widespread excitement amongst historians and archaeologists, as it may re-write the origin of the Indus valley civilization (IVC).
The excavations have yielded evidence of an advanced Tamil society with residential quarters, work areas, playground and international trade. What is most noteworthy is that the community had no god and religious or prayer sites. Neither were the divisionary or casteist seclusions. Fearing a slight to the much revered IVC, the centre eclipsed the earlier findings published in 2014.
The carbon dating of the artefacts like clay pots, trinkets etc. limited now only to a 5-acre area of the total 110 acres have revealed that the Tamil civilization to be 200 years older the earlier estimate of 2300 years. These artefacts have been found almost on the surface, 10 cms to 30 cms from the ground. It is further expected that more in-depth exploration over a more full area may push the date of the Tamils even to 4500 years old, says Prof. Veeralakshmi of the Tanjore University.
The construction of the dwellings have been made from clay flooring, with burnt clay bricks held with lime paste, wooden pillars and tiled roofing. The posts and the roof have been fastened with iron nails, evidencing metallurgical advancements. Tests show that the pots and pitchers have been heated at 1100 deg F, and many have Brahmi inscriptions. Many hundreds of figurines of men and animals, glass beads have also been found. Some of the deciphered Brahmi inscriptions indicate in Tamil ‘Chefs’ meaning a small kingdom in place.
Many gold pieces of bangles, earlobes and trinkets have also been excavated. Many gold strips bear inscriptions. For leisure and sports, many table games like Chaturanga are found and so are more than 600 dices in addition to pit-games.
Beads of agate, Carnelian and quartz indicate the trade link and influence of Romans. Whether it is the Indus Valley people reaching Keezhadi or Tamils heading for Indus Valley will be an exciting question ahead, which may find an answer.
The Tamil civilization were well advanced even 600 years before the Christian Era. The civilization could be older, by which it evolved with cultural and technical advancements.
What strikes the most is the godless society, as seems from the excavations lived in harmony, with no one higher and none inferior. The world waits with interest of further revelations on Keezhadi.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
inputs: Kumudam and internet for the photos
