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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}{{Infobox ancient site|name=Adichanallur|alternate_name=ஆதிச்சநல்லூர்|image=|alt=|caption=|map_type=India Tamil Nadu#India|map_alt=|relief=y|map_size=270|coordinates={{coord|8.73|77.7|display=inline}}|location=[[Thoothukudi]], [[India]]|region=|type=Settlement|part_of=|length=|width=|area=|height=|builder=|material=|built=2500 BC–500 BC<br>905 BC–696 BC|abandoned=|epochs=|cultures=[[Tamils|Ancient Tamils]]|dependency_of=|occupants=|event=|excavations=1876–present|archaeologists=|ownership=|management=|public_access=|website=|notes=}}'''Adichanallur''' (ஆதிச்சநல்லூர்) is an [[archaeological site]] in [[Thoothukudi district]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]] that has been the site of a number of very important archaeological finds. [[Korkai]], the capital of the [[Early Pandyan Kingdom]], is located about 15 km from Adichanallur. Carbon dating of samples excavated in 2004 from the Adichanallur site has revealed that they belonged to the period between 1000 BC and 600 BC.<ref name="auto">{{cite | {{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}{{Infobox ancient site|name=Adichanallur|alternate_name=ஆதிச்சநல்லூர்|image=|alt=|caption=|map_type=India Tamil Nadu#India|map_alt=|relief=y|map_size=270|coordinates={{coord|8.73|77.7|display=inline}}|location=[[Thoothukudi]], [[India]]|region=|type=Settlement|part_of=|length=|width=|area=|height=|builder=|material=|built=2500 BC–500 BC<br>905 BC–696 BC|abandoned=|epochs=|cultures=[[Tamils|Ancient Tamils]]|dependency_of=|occupants=|event=|excavations=1876–present|archaeologists=|ownership=|management=|public_access=|website=|notes=}}'''Adichanallur''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]: ஆதிச்சநல்லூர்) is an [[archaeological site]] in [[Thoothukudi district]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]] that has been the site of a number of very important archaeological finds. [[Korkai]], the capital of the [[Early Pandyan Kingdom]], is located about 15 km from Adichanallur. Carbon dating of samples excavated in 2004 from the Adichanallur site has revealed that they belonged to the period between 1000 BC and 600 BC.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/adichanallur-site-belongs-to-a-period-between-905-and-696-bc-madurai-high-court/article26737779.ece|title=Adichanallur site belongs to a period between 905 and 696 BC|first=B. Tilak|last=Chandar|newspaper=The Hindu|date=5 April 2019|access-date=6 April 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/adichanallur-samples-sent-for-carbon-dating-asi-tells-hc/article26369217.ece|title=Samples sent for carbon dating: ASI|last=Chandar|first=B. Tilak|date=2019-02-26|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-09-20|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In 2005, around 169 clay urns containing human skeletons were unearthed that date back to at-least 3,800 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Skeletons-dating-back-3800-years-throw-light-on-evolution/articleshow/1354201.cms|title=Skeletons dating back 3,800 years throw light on evolution - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=6 April 2019}}</ref> In 2018, research on skeletons remains were dated at Manipur University to 1500 BC (+ or - 700 years).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-ghosts-of-adichanallur/article22431890.ece|title=The ghosts of Adichanallur: Artefacts that suggest an ancient Tamil civilisation of great sophistication|last=Kalyanaraman|first=M.|date=2018-01-12|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-09-20|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/rudimentary-tamil-brahmi-script-unearthed-at-adichanallur/article27316950.ece|title='Rudimentary Tamil-Brahmi script' unearthed at Adichanallur|last=Subramanian|first=T. s|date=2005-02-17|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-09-20|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | ||
==Present Excavations== | ==Present Excavations== | ||
In 2004, a number of skeletons were found buried in earthenware [[urn]]s. Some of these urns contained writing in [[Tamil Brahmi | In 2004, a number of skeletons were found buried in earthenware [[urn]]s. Some of these urns contained writing in [[Tamili]] (Tamil-Brahmi) script. While some of the burial urns contained skeletons of Tamil origin, others were found with remains of mostly Australoid, Southeast Asian, East Asian and others. The Australoid were likely contemporary Australian aborigines who were known to have had seafaring qualities<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-ghosts-of-adichanallur/article22431890.ece|title=The ghosts of Adichanallur: Artefacts that suggest an ancient Tamil civilisation of great sophistication|first=M.|last=Kalyanaraman|newspaper=The Hindu|date=12 January 2018|access-date=6 April 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> | ||
On March 18, 2019, the report of artifact samples sent to Beta Analytic Testing Laboratory, USA for carbon dating was obtained. The results were submitted to the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on April 4, 2019. Carbon dating of samples excavated from the Adichanallur site in Thoothukudi district has revealed that they belonged to the period between 905 BC to 696 BC. A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and S. S. Sundar observed that this proved Adichanallur was one of the earliest ancient sites in Tamil Nadu. The court had expressed its displeasure that the artifacts, first excavated in 2004-06 under the supervision of the then Superintending Archaeologist T. Satyamurthy, were not sent for carbon dating for over 15 years. “ In spite of many efforts taken by intellectuals, historians, political leaders and archaeologists, nothing was done by the ASI, for reasons best known to them, to send the Adichanallur samples for carbon dating,” the court said. The court had earlier directed the ASI to fence the whole site that is spread across 114 acres and put up a police outpost to prevent any damage. With Sathyabama Badrinath, former Regional Director (South), ASI, currently with the Delhi circle, nominated for preparing the report, the court said that the reports of T. Satyamurthy could also be added in achieving a comprehensive report<ref name="auto"/> | On March 18, 2019, the report of artifact samples sent to Beta Analytic Testing Laboratory, USA for carbon dating was obtained. The results were submitted to the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on April 4, 2019. Carbon dating of samples excavated from the Adichanallur site in Thoothukudi district has revealed that they belonged to the period between 905 BC to 696 BC. A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and S. S. Sundar observed that this proved Adichanallur was one of the earliest ancient sites in Tamil Nadu. The court had expressed its displeasure that the artifacts, first excavated in 2004-06 under the supervision of the then Superintending Archaeologist T. Satyamurthy, were not sent for carbon dating for over 15 years. “ In spite of many efforts taken by intellectuals, historians, political leaders and archaeologists, nothing was done by the ASI, for reasons best known to them, to send the Adichanallur samples for carbon dating,” the court said. The court had earlier directed the ASI to fence the whole site that is spread across 114 acres and put up a police outpost to prevent any damage. With Sathyabama Badrinath, former Regional Director (South), ASI, currently with the Delhi circle, nominated for preparing the report, the court said that the reports of T. Satyamurthy could also be added in achieving a comprehensive report<ref name="auto"/> | ||
==Historical Excavations== | ==Historical Excavations== | ||
[[file:Civiltà_thamirabani,_reperti_da_adhichanallur,_02.jpg|Findings from Adichanallur, in the Government Museum, Chennai|thumb]] | |||
{{More footnotes|date=October 2019}} | {{More footnotes|date=October 2019}} | ||
Adichanallur first gained attention in the year 1876 when a team of three eminent people visited it. The team consisted of the then Collector of Tirunelvely district, district engineer and an Ethnologist from Germany called Dr. Jagor. The team started excavating in one side of a mound and discovered many earthen pots that were of superior quality than the ones being sold at the bazaars of the late 19th Century. Also found were baked earthenware utensils, a number of iron weapons and implements (mainly knives, short sword blades and hatchets) and a huge number of bones and skulls. | Adichanallur first gained attention in the year 1876 when a team of three eminent people visited it. The team consisted of the then Collector of Tirunelvely district, district engineer and an Ethnologist from Germany called Dr. Jagor. The team started excavating in one side of a mound and discovered many earthen pots that were of superior quality than the ones being sold at the bazaars of the late 19th Century. Also found were baked earthenware utensils, a number of iron weapons and implements (mainly knives, short sword blades and hatchets) and a huge number of bones and skulls. | ||
[[Alexander Rea]], a former Superintendent from Southern Circle Archaeological Survey of India pointed out that all these artifacts were taken away by Dr. Jagor for the Berlin Museum für Völkerkunde, currently called as Ethnological Museum of Berlin. | [[Alexander Rea]], a former Superintendent from Southern Circle Archaeological Survey of India pointed out that all these artifacts were taken away by Dr. Jagor for the Berlin Museum für Völkerkunde, currently called as Ethnological Museum of Berlin. Alexander Rea himself had done a detailed investigation of the sites during the period between 1899 and 1905, when he was able to find a large number of artifacts similar to Dr. Jagor. | ||
All the artifacts that Rea found was promptly cataloged and documented in his 1915 book titled "Catalog of the Prehistoric Antiquities from Adichanallur and Perambair". It is surprising to note that although the catalog consisted of huge amounts of bronze, iron, gold and earthen artifacts combined, the present day excavations yielded mainly earthen wares only. All of Rea's artifacts are supposedly present in India, however it remains unclear whether they are being preserved properly. | All the artifacts that Rea found was promptly cataloged and documented in his 1915 book titled "Catalog of the Prehistoric Antiquities from Adichanallur and Perambair". It is surprising to note that although the catalog consisted of huge amounts of bronze, iron, gold and earthen artifacts combined, the present day excavations yielded mainly earthen wares only. All of Rea's artifacts are supposedly present in India, however it remains unclear whether they are being preserved properly. | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071212045344/http://asi.nic.in/asi_exec_adichchanallur.asp Archaeological Survey of India's Page on Adichanallur excavations] | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071212045344/http://asi.nic.in/asi_exec_adichchanallur.asp Archaeological Survey of India's Page on Adichanallur excavations] | ||
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070128133014/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021704471300.htm Rudimentary Tamil-Brahmi script unearthed at Adichanallur] - ''The Hindu'', 17 Feb 2005 | *{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20070128133014/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021704471300.htm Rudimentary Tamil-Brahmi script unearthed at Adichanallur]}} - ''The Hindu'', 17 Feb 2005 | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050406042917/http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/03/stories/2005040301931400.htm Iron Age habitational site found at Adichanallur] - ''The Hindu'', 3 Apr 2005 | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050406042917/http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/03/stories/2005040301931400.htm Iron Age habitational site found at Adichanallur] - ''The Hindu'', 3 Apr 2005 | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070527142322/http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/25/stories/2007052502532200.htm Some pottery parallels - Spread of material culture from south to Deccan?] - ''The Hindu'', 25 May 2007 | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070527142322/http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/25/stories/2007052502532200.htm Some pottery parallels - Spread of material culture from south to Deccan?] - ''The Hindu'', 25 May 2007 | ||