Copper artifact and pottery unearthed in Tharuvaikulam; Request made to link site with Pattanamarudur

A copper artifact and pottery fragments have been found in the southern part of Tharuvaikulam, a short distance away from the upcoming archeological site in Pattanamarudur. Following the discovery, requests have been submitted to Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) to include the site along with the Pattanamarudhur site.

P. Rajesh Selvarathi, an archaeological enthusiast from Thoothukudi was among the first to highlight the potential of Pattamarudur site. According to him, both Pattanamarudur and Tharuvaikulam point to a vibrant trade centre, comparable with some ancient trade hubs.

Mr. Selvarathi told The Hindu that X-ray fluorescence testing was conducted on the copper objects, which revealed a composition of 99.99% pure copper. He added that such purity indicates that the ancient societies were skilled in producing quality metal objects.

He noted that the early copper metallurgy often involved the use of naturally occurring copper ores, containing various metals like arsenic, lead, nickel and iron. “Achieving such high purity implies highly advanced smelting and refining techniques, possibly involving multiple stages of purification,” Mr. Selvarathi explained.

He further emphasised that a copper object with 99.99% purity and a high intensity of 7960.07 is an exceptionally noteworthy artefact, suggesting a high level of technological sophistication, and could provide new insights into the social and cultural structures of that period.

He also pointed out the presence of pottery fragments bearing ancient symbols, which are mostly seen in Megalithic pottery and manding script.

“The copper object and pottery fragments will be sent to chemical dating to determine their period. A request has also been submitted to TNSDA to add Tharuvaikulam to the Pattanamarudur site,” Mr. Selvarathi said.

Speaking on this, an official from the TNSDA confirmed the presence of copper objects and pottery fragments in the southern part of Tharuvaikulam. “Currently these artifacts are being reported by a private enthusiast and requests have been made to include the site with Pattanamarudur. These proposals will be considered in due course,” the official added.