Culture

12,000-year-old stone tools discovered near Chennai by Archaeological Survey of India

The Chennai circle of Archaeological Survey of India has hit gold in terms of history, heritage and culture. Excavations in the nondescript village of Vadakkupattu which is five kilometres from Oragadam on the outskirts of Chennai have revealed a treasure trove of relics – tools, toys, gold beads, sculptures, coins among others — not belonging to one but four eras, of which the oldest dates back to 12,000 years.

Among the findings the most important are from the Mesolithic period or the Middle Stone Age, that is 12,000 plus years. These include scrappers, cleavers, choppers, hand axes, and stone fragments numbering in hundreds just 75 cm below the surface. Talking to TOI, M. Kalimuthu, Superintendent Archaeologist, Chennai Circle, said: “This looks like a place where ancient people made stone tools for hunters and gatherers.”

As per the researchers the moderate size and sharpness of the tools found shows that the ancient people made them by removing flakes from stones and that they are from the Mesolithic period.  Kalimuthu told the media the large variety stone tools points to a large number of people living in the area.

A seal from the Sangam era

At an upper layer of the same pit the 20-member ASI team which included surveyors, researchers, and labourers found Roman amphora sherds, rouletted pottery and glass beads besides beads, gold ornaments, terracotta toys, coins, pot sherds and bangle pieces belonging to the Sangam era, that is 2,000 years ago. This objects, according to the experts indicate active trade and commerce.

The surrounding area yielded sculptures and stone carvings which belong to the Pallava period– from 275 CE to the late era of 897 CE. Many of the sculptures were made of sand stone and weathered over a period of time. Included among these were statues of Vishnu and a Shivalinga.

Stressing the importance of this archaeological site, Kalimuthu told TOI: “It is unique to find stone tools, artefacts and ornaments belonging to four different eras at a single place.”

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

US adds 29 Chinese firms to Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity list

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on behalf of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task…

6 minutes ago

Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile calls for UK’s action on China’s Abuses

A delegation from the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), led by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and accompanied…

52 minutes ago

Indian Dornier 228 aircraft flypast on the sidelines of India-CARICOM Summit

On the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit, leaders of the member countries witnessed a…

1 hour ago

India spent $14 tn on investments since Independence, more than half of it spent in last 10 yrs: Report

India's economic growth story has witnessed a remarkable surge in investment spending, with over half…

2 hours ago

India should be branded as a ‘Responsible Capitalist’ nation: Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called for branding India as a "Responsible Capitalist" nation, emphasizing…

3 hours ago

Taiwan reports hike in Chinese military activity

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported Chinese military activity on Saturday and detected 25…

3 hours ago