ASI launches excavation at Iron Age burial site in Kodaikanal

Research scholars at work at the excavation site at Kamanur in Kodaikanal.

The Archaeological Survey of India’s Excavation Branch–VI, Mysuru, has launched an excavation at an Iron Age burial site at Kamanur near Kodaikanal on the lower Palani hills in Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu.

The excavation is part of a three-year project that would cover a few other sites too in the Palani hills.

“Cists, dolmens, urn burials and pit burials have been identified in the region. During vegetation clearance, a burial complex was discovered, following which the excavation was proposed,” said R .N. Kumaran, Superintending Archaeologist, Excavation Branch–VI, Mysuru, and the Excavation Director told The Hindu.

“A few sites near Perumalmalai in the Kodaikanal region were excavated during the pre-Independence period. In 2004 and 2006, Prof. K. Rajan of Tamil University, Thanjavur, conducted excavations at Thandikudi. This marks the first time that the ASI is undertaking excavation in this hilly region,” Mr. Kumaran added.

The region had been explored since the colonial period and several Iron Age sites have been identified. “We excavated one such site at Thandikudi with good results. Kamanur is a promising site and the current excavation taken up by ASI here and other sites would bring out a clearer picture of the cultural practices of the people who had settled there in the region over 3000 years ago,” Mr.. Rajan told The Hindu.

It is interesting that people of different social groups had settled on the hills, about 3,000 feet above mean Mean Sea Level, apparently drawn by the revenue brought in by spices such as pepper, Mr. Rajan said.

The excavation was inaugurated with site clearance works on January 21 by Murugesan, Village Headman, Kamanur; Magesh, President, Thandikudi panchayat; Ganesan, Traditional/Hereditary Head of the Palani Hills and representatives from the villages of Kamanur, Mangalamkombu, and Thandikudi.

The villagers were happy over the launch of the excavation and wanted ASI to document the entire archaeological wealth of the Palani Hills, especially the Kodaikanal region, Mr. Kumaran said.

P. Aravazhi, Superintendent Archaeologist (in-charge), and V. Muthukumar, Assistant Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Tiruchi Circle, and M. Saranya, Assistant Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Bangalore Circle, were present.