After Maharashtra, Archaeologists discover important Mesolithic site near Chennai

Chennai, Sept 23: The Arhaeological Survey of India has excavated a Mesolithic period site on the outskirts of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The ASI team has unearthed important finds like the hand axes, scrappers, cleaver and choppers from the Mesolithic period site near Vadakkupattu village.

 

 

 

 

The excavation team of ASI has found the artifacts merely 75cm below the surface, that include hand axes, scrappers, cleaver and choppers along with hundreds of stone fragments. "This looks like a place where ancient people made stone tools for hunters and gatherers," said M Kalimuthu, superintending archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai Circle.

 

 

 

 

 

Archaeologists were astonished to find, at an upper layer of the same 10mx10m pit, Sangam era (more than 2,000 years ago) artefacts and rouletted ware, Roman amphora sherds and glass beads indicating active trade with Rome. The team has also found gold ornaments, terracotta toys, beads, pieces of bangles, pot sherds and coins. In the surrounding area, the team discovered sculptures ranging from the early Pallava era (275 CE) to the late Pallavas (897 CE) on the surface.

 

 

Archaeologist K Sridharan, who retired from the state archaeology department, said the Vadakkupattu finds show continuous habitation for several thousand years. "The new evidence shows it is a culturally and archaeologically important site," he further added.