University of Madras Discovers Rare Sangam Era Ring Well in Chengalpet
A significant archaeological discovery has been made by a team of students and faculty members from the University of Madras at Chettimedu Pathur in Chengalpet district. The excavation, led by the department of ancient history and archaeology, has unearthed a ring well believed to date back to the Sangam era, an early historic period in Tamil history.
Details of the Excavation and Findings
During the second season of excavation at this neolithic site, the team focused on the premises of the Thiruvathamman temple. In one of the trenches, they uncovered a ring well at a depth of 1.49 meters. This structure consists of six rings, each designed wider at the base and narrower at the top, allowing them to interlock securely. According to Jinu Koshy, the excavation incharge, this construction technology is consistent with other Sangam age sites like Pattaraiperumbudur and Keeladi.
The associated artifacts further support the dating of the ring well to the Sangam era. These include various types of pottery such as black-and-red ware, black slipped ware, red slipped ware, and Indian rouletted ware. Additionally, the team retrieved black and red ware and black slipped ware sherds with graffiti marks from iron age layers, along with other antiquities like glass and semi-precious stone beads, Chola period coins, a terracotta wheel, and numerous potsherds.
Rarity and Significance of the Discovery
Archaeologists emphasize the rarity of finding a ring well in the Palar river basin. J Soundararajan, head of the department, noted that only a handful of archaeological sites, such as Kancheepuram, have yielded similar ring wells in this region. This discovery provides valuable insights into the technological advancements and daily life during the Sangam period.
In the first season of excavation at Chettimedu Pathur, researchers had already uncovered burial remains of a child, along with potsherds of burnished grey ware, black slipped ware with graffiti marks, bricks from the early historic period, and red slipped ware with designs in black from the iron age. The latest findings build on this, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the site's historical significance.
The ongoing excavations continue to shed light on the rich cultural heritage of the region, highlighting the University of Madras's role in preserving and studying India's ancient past.
