The
visit to this Archaeological Excavation
site at Vembakottai in Virudhunagar
District was a part of “Temples, Heritage Sites and Archaeological Excavation Sites Visit around Thoothukudi”, between
Dec 1st and 2nd December 2023.
PC -Website
Since March last year, the state archaeology department has been
exploring the archaeological site at Vembakottai, 15 km away from Sivakasi, in
Virudhunagar District, and completed the first phase of the excavation in
September 2022. The second phase of excavation is in progress. The first phase
at the 25 acres of the mound at Vaipparu Bank unearthed gold ornaments,
terracotta items, dolls, bangles made of conches, ivory ornaments, glass beads, and pendants among others. Altogether 3,254 antiquities were unearthed in the
first phase.
Excavation site Director Pon Baskar said that they were finding 60 to 65
antiquities every day. The antiquities could be estimated to 2,000 years old
and further research to ascertain the exact age is underway, he added.
In the first phase of excavation 16 trenches were dug, and antiquities
including copper coins, shell bangles, smoking pipes, and glass beads among others
were unearthed.
A piece of Bangle made of Ivory- PC -Website
PC -Website
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PC -Website
The second phase of excavation was commenced on April 6th, 2023, and 6
trenches were dug. Around 1780 antiques ivory dice, copper coins, terracotta
figurines, and shell bangles have been unearthed so far during the excavation. These
gold pieces unearthed in the second phase were found at a depth of 1.15 meters
and 1.59 meters in two different trenches at the site. A mangalsutra was also
excavated in the second phase of excavation.
One of the celebrated findings of Vembakottai's excavation was the gold ornaments. As per the site director Pon Baskar, one gold piece
was a conical-shaped shaped ornament while the other was a gold plate-like
place. The ornament weighed 2.2 grams with a 4.3 mm length and 6.2 mm diameter and
the gold plate weighed 2 grams with an 8.8 mm length and 7.2 mm breadth.
An on-site exhibition was
constructed by the state archaeology Department and the same was inaugurated by
the State ministers Thangam Thennarasu and KKSSR Ramachandran, on May 23 this
year. The site exhibition displays the 3,254 antiquities excavated in the first
phase.
HOW TO
REACH
Vembakottai is about 15 km from Sivakasi, 31 km from Kovilpatti, 51 km from
Virudhunagar, 97 km from Madurai, and 562 km from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Sivakasi.
LOCATION
OF THE EXCAVATION: CLICK HERE
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Neolithic Stone Tool
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--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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