Chennai: The ancient port town of Korkai in Thoothukudi district is set to witness marine archaeological excavations, Tamil Nadu Archaeology Minister Thangam Thennarasu said on Tuesday. The minister who visited the excavation site on Tuesday said that efforts are being made for the marine excavations in the Sangam-era port of Korkai.
Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiyagarajan had earlier said that the state is planning to undertake deep-sea excavation in Korkai and Azhagankulam.
Korkai is known for the archaeological excavations and artifacts found in the region that dated back to 300 BCE. The port town also holds a mention in Tamil Sangam literature of Silapathikaram, Akananuru, and Aingurunur.
The state government has started the initiative for marine excavation keeping these facts in mind.
What is marine excavation?
Marine archaeology deals with the discovery of ancient artifacts from under the sea with techniques including underwater exploration and excavation.
With the help of maritime archeology, the artifacts relating to a submerged town or islands can be excavated.
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In India, Tamil Nadu marks the beginning of the marine excavation with oceanographers first taking a survey of Kaveripattinam in the Thanjavur coast in 2013. Kaveripattinam was the port city of the Chola Era. The National Institute of Oceanography was earmarked with the project to kickstart marine archaeological surveys in India.
Now with the detail about Korkai that the sea has receded about 6 km to the east in the region, as per the Tamil Nadu archeological department, the state and oceanographers are set to yet again excavate the marine regions near Korkai.
Excavations Conducted In Korkai Till Now
Tamil Nadu Archeology Minister Thangam Thennarasu said that Korkai holds an important place in the list of archeological sites of the state. Korkai was the port town of the Pandiyas (One of the rulers of the present Tamil Nadu in the ancient days).
Even though several archeological excavations have taken place in Korkai since the 19th century, the excavations which recently happened have proved links to China, Romania and Egypt. Several potsherds inscribed with Tamil Brahmi letters collected from the region were dated between 300 BCE and 200 BCE. The charcoal samples found that a civilisation existed nearly around 785 BCE ago in the present Tamil Nadu, the Minister said.
Hence, the excavation will prove as an important tool to find the history of Tamils, he added.
The Minister also said that they are currently holding talks with the National Oceanography Institute and archeological experts. He said, the state also requires technological support and once all the requirements are met the works for marine excavation will begin in the state.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan allotted Rs 5 crore for archaeological excavations in Keezhadi, Mayiladumparai and Korkai.