Keeladi

WHY IN NEWS?

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister launches sixth phase of excavation at Keeladi.

ABOUT KEELADI

• Keezhadi is a village near the village of Silaiman, on the border between Madurai and Sivagangai districts, in Tamil Nadu.
• Keeladi excavation site is a Sangam period settlement that is being excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department.
• This is a large-scale excavation carried out in Tamil Nadu after the Adichanallur archaeological site.
• The settlement lies on the bank of the Vaigai River and it reflects the ancient culture of Tamil people.
• Initially, this site was estimated to be from the period between 5th century BCE and 3rd century CE.
• Radiocarbon dating of samples obtained from the fourth phase of excavation revealed that one of the artifacts was from 6th century BCE.
• The graffiti marks on the artifacts obtained from the excavation site are interpreted by the excavators as a link between the scripts of the Indus Valley Civilization and Tamil-Brahmi.

Prelims Question

Q. Keeladi excavation site is located in which of the following states?
a. Karnataka
b. Andhra Pradesh
c. Kerala
d. Tamil Nadu

Answer to the Prelims Question