6 months ago
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One 100 and 3 punch-marked golden coins dated to Vijayanagara epoch were recovered successful a earthen cookware erstwhile a radical of workers dug up a trench astatine the sanctum sanctorum of the Later Chola-era built Shiva temple successful Kovilur hamlet, astir 10 kms from Jamunamarathur colony atop Jawadhu Hills successful Tiruvannamalai.
Officials of HR&CE, which was progressive successful restoration of the past temple astatine a outgo of ₹ 2.5 crore, said that a radical of workers were digging a trench successful the sanctum sanctorum erstwhile they deed a tiny pot. They recovered a clump of golden coins successful antithetic sizes and shapes. Immediately, they informed gross officials and police, who rushed to the spot. ”Based connected an alert from workers, we collected golden coins from the temple premises. Archeologists from Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department (TNSAD) volition measure its practice worth earlier coins are handed implicit to the territory treasury,” S. Durai, Tasildar (Jamunamarathur), told The Hindu.
Revenue officials besides apprised astir the find of coins to Collector K. Tharpagaraj, who is the custodian of territory treasury arsenic per Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878. Mr. Tharpagaraj has directed territory curator S. Baskar to measure the discovered coins and taxable a study to him.
Archeologists said that coins of assorted metals including gold, silver, and copper were made during the humanities play for 2 reasons. Coins were fixed arsenic offerings to God and buried nether the sanctum sanctorum of a temple with a content that specified an enactment volition bring prosperity to the region. Secondly, coins were minted chiefly arsenic a mode of outgo for trade. “Traditionally, golden coins are minted chiefly arsenic offerings to god. Copper and different metallic coins are utilized for commercialized owed to their durability. Such coins (copper) are besides wide circulated due to the fact that they cannot beryllium melted similar golden coins,” said K. Sridharan, retired Deputy Director, TNSAD.
Archeologists said that golden coins, connected an average, volition beryllium astir 5 milimetres successful size. The coins could beryllium 600 years aged during the Vijayanagara era. Gold coins recovered successful the temple person the emblem of a pig, an carnal depicted by Vijayanagara rulers successful assorted engravings. Such offering of golden coins to temples was done during that play due to the fact that a ample fig of temples were built nether Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara empire arsenic portion of reviving temple architecture successful the region. Coins made during this play volition beryllium circular successful signifier whereas coins successful Sangam property are square-shaped.
Revenue officials said that the Collector tin nonstop treasury officials to handover coins to the territory depository curator to show it for the nationalist to larn its affluent heritage.
