3 weeks ago
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Two 100 acres of onshore person been earmarked for archaeological excavation astatine Pattinamarudhur colony successful Thoothukudi territory and 3 trenches person been dug during the archetypal signifier since March.
Around 1,500 artefacts, including pieces of ammunition ornament, coins, porcelain pottery fragments and figurines, person been excavated from the tract truthful far.
In the 2025-2026 State Budget, erstwhile concern curate Thangam Thennarsau had announced that archaeological excavation would beryllium carried retired successful Pattinamarudhur. Accordingly, mentation works began successful March this year, starring to digging of trenches.
A squad of 2 officials from Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) and scholars camped adjacent the tract wherever respective artefacts were discovered.
Work nether mode wrong a trench astatine Pattanamarudur archaeological tract successful Thoothukudi district. | Photo Credit: N. RAJESH
An authoritative from TNSDA said that 3 trenches had been dug connected 5 acres of undisturbed onshore and astir 1,500 artefacts specified arsenic coins, ammunition ornaments and pottery fragments recovered. Trenches measuring astir 2 metres, 1.3 metres and 1 metre successful extent had been excavated, with progressive information of section villagers successful the process. Works were nether mode to wide invasive vegetation crossed 25 acres, aft which further excavation would commence successful those areas.
The authoritative besides mentioned that 16 trenches had been projected during the archetypal signifier of excavation astatine the site. The artefacts collected would beryllium systematically documented and studied successful detail. Efforts were besides being made to prosecute students, with plans to bring schoolhouse students from the territory to the tract done the School Education Department.
P. Rajesh Selvarathi, an archeology enthusiast from the region, who highlighted the imaginable of Pattinamarudhur site, has collected a fig of artefacts implicit time. According to him, the Pattinamarudhur colony located on the eastbound seashore of Thoothukudi territory indicates the vibrant commercialized centre connected par with Korkai.
He further suggested that the colony could person witnessed successive taste phases. Since August 2023, helium has collected galore artefacts not lone from Pattinamarudhur but besides from adjacent villages Therku Kalmedu and Melamarudhur.
Mr. Selvarathi noted that aft making aggregate discoveries that indicated the site’s potential, elaborate reports were submitted to the territory administration. Following a drone survey and mapping workout conducted astatine the Pattinamarudhur archeological tract successful May 2025, excavation enactment began this year.
Mr. Selvarathi emphasised that the tract held important imaginable for aboriginal discoveries.
