T.N. Archaeology Department sends 23 charcoal samples to U.S. for AMS dating

The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) has dispatched 23 charcoal samples, excavated from different stratigraphic layers at seven archaeological sites during the 2024-25 excavation season, to the Beta Analytic laboratory in the United States for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) dating, with an aim to establish the ancientness and absolute chronology of cultural deposits.

According to official sources, among the samples sent, five are from the 10^th phase of excavation at Keeladi in Sivaganga district, four from the first phase at Chennanoor in Krishnagiri district, two each from Tirumalapuram in Tenkasi district, Marungur in Cuddalore district and Porpanaikkottai in Pudukottai district, and three from Kongalnagaram in Tiruppur district.

Further, the TNSDA has also sent five charcoal samples excavated from Thulukkarpatti in Tirunelveli district. Official sources said the AMS test results are expected within two months. In addition to AMS, the TNSDA is also employing a suite of scientific methods to study the ancientness of various unearthed materials.

During the 10^th phase of excavations at Keeladi, over 500 antiquities and 100 inscribed potsherds were unearthed, including red-slipped ware with fish motifs. In the second phase at Porpanaikkottai, 11 trenches yielded 1,792 antiquities, including pottery, glass beads, and bangles. Notably, a stone slab chamber with urn burials was excavated for the first time in Tamil Nadu at the megalithic burial ground in Tirumalapuram.