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Kodumanal

Kodumanam

India · Tamil Nadu, Erode

SettlementIntermittent excavation
Approximate period400 BCE — 300 CEMegalithic and Early Historic periods See on the map ↓

In brief

Settlement, production and cemetery areas have been excavated at Kodumanal on the banks of the Noyyal. Beadworking, iron production and inscribed pottery demonstrate the site's importance for crafts and trade.

What was found?

  • 1Pottery inscribed in Tamil-Brahmi

    Potsherds bearing Tamil-Brahmi letters were found at the settlement. They document the use of writing on everyday vessels.

  • 2Carnelian beads

    782 carnelian beads were recovered from an urn beside a stone cist grave. They show that beads were also used as grave goods.

  • 3Iron swords

    The finds from the burial area include an iron sword 169 cm long. Weapons form an important part of the metal objects placed in graves.

  • 4Decorated copper strainer

    The copper object bearing lotus and peacock designs is described in the official source as a palm liquor strainer. It shows how a functional object was enhanced with decoration.

  • 5Stone cist grave

    A main cist and vessels placed around it were uncovered within a circle of piled stones. The grave’s structure shows that the burial area was deliberately arranged.

What does it point to?

Furnace materials and inscribed pottery indicate a settlement where production took place and writing was used. The beads, weapons and decorated copper object in the graves show that this material culture also extended to funerary practices.

What did it teach us?

  1. They documented intensive production activities at the settlement through furnace remains.
  2. They showed that beads, weapons and vessels were placed together in megalithic burials.
  3. They provided tangible examples of the use of Tamil-Brahmi writing on ceramic vessels.

Latest news / selected archive

In 2021, a large stone structure with steps was uncovered and was reported to be a possible well supplying water to the production area.

Record

Culture
Early Tamil culture
Team / historical
Tamil Nadu Eyaleti Arkeoloji Dairesi; J. Ranjith
Coordinates
11.1117°, 77.5142°

Sources

  1. archaeology.org
  2. cejsh.icm.edu.pl
  3. Tamil Nadu Arkeoloji Dairesi — Kodumanal
  4. Tamil Nadu Arkeoloji Dairesi — Temmuz 2020 kazı durum raporu

Nearby excavations


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12.000

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