EXCAVATIONS

Pancalamkuruchi	1968

    It was the capital of the local chieftain Vira Pandya Kattabomman 
    who Defied the British in 1798 and waged a brave battle, was captured
    and executed but is celebrated in large number of ballads. His palace 
    and fort were raced to the ground. The palace and fort were excavated
    where the Government set up a museum and made the same a tourist site 
    attracting large number of visitors.

Korkai 1968-69

   Situated at the mouth of the perennial river Tamraparni the place 
   served as the port of the Ancient Pandyas from the pre Christian era 
   to the medieval times. It was a famous port mentioned in the writings 
   of the classical geographers like Ptolemy, Pliny and in ancient Tamil
   literature frequently. The present village of Korkai is located about
   few miles interior. The sea has receded during the centuries. The
   excavations revealed large number of urn burials of pre Christian era
   dating back to 7th cent. B.C (Carbon 14 dating). For the first time
   Northern Black Polished Ware -NBP-  was found in excavation attesting
   to the Mauryan contact with the extreme south of India. Besides,
   inscribed pot sherds with Brahmi characters have been found A museum
   has been established at this site.

Vasaavasanudram 1969

   Situated about seven miles south of Mamallapuram at the mouth of the river
   Palaru the site connected the ancient city of Kanchipuram to the sea coast
   and served as a port of the Pallavas. The excavations revealed Roman
   cantact with the find of Mediterranian amphora and rouletted ware.

Pallava medu 1970

    Pallava medu, a part of modern Kanchipuram was excavated which yielded
    2-3rd cent setttlement dating back to the period of Early Pallavas who 
    established it as their capital

Karur 1973-79

    Karur was the ancient capital of the Chera ruler of the Sangam age.
    (3rd cent B.C to 6th Cent A.D. It had extensive contact with the Roman 
    world and Roman coins have been found in thousands in and around Karur. 
    It is spoken extensively in  Indian and Foreign notices from the beginning
    of. Christian era. The Excavations conducted have brought  to light Roman
    Amphora, and other wares beside Chera coins of the Sangam age.   Also
    Were found inscribed potsherds with Brahmi letters, thus establishing that
    it was the ancient capital of the Ancient Chera empire. 1979  Panaia kulam
    This site in Dharmapuri district yielded ancient terracotta figures of 
    exceptional beauty . A museum has been established there.

Kodumanal 1979

    Kodumanal near Erode was excavated which also yielded Roman artifacts.
    It was the centre the Romans used to visit to obtain beryls in the beginning 
    of the Christian era.

Poluvampatti 1979-80

    This obscure village now in Coimbatore district yielded a settlement going
    back to 4th cent. AD. and seems to have been merchant setlement. A rare
    bronze of a bull showing agricultural ploughing rites. A large number of
    terracotta figures were also found.

Kovalanpottal 1980

    This site at the outskirts of Madurai yielded urn burial with a skeleton of 
    a youth buried in the urn. A large number of urns were excavated and a 
    site museum established.

Gangaikondacholapuram 1980-82 

    This place was established as the Imperial Cola capital around 1020 AD
    Colapuram	by Rajendra Cola to mark his conquests of regions up to Bangladesh.
    Ever  since it served as the capital of all the Cola Emperors up to the end of 
    13th cent AD controlling the affairs of the entire southern India including 
    Ceylon and Conquered the Far East . In the end of 13th cent the capital was
    razed to the ground by the Pandya ruler. The magnificent temple here was built 
    by the Cola Emperor Rajendra I This was a major excavation which exposed the 
    palace remain and the fortification walls. The site has been protected and a 
    site museum opened. The excavation also brought to light Chinese pottery showing
    extensive contact with China and Far East.

Alagankulam 1986-87

    The site at the mouth of the river Vaikai that passes through Madurai the
    capital of the Pandyas was excavated. Roman contact particularly in 3rd cent.
    yielding dated Roman coins of Valentain and others and. Large quantity	of 
    Northern African red ware are found for the first time in India showing the 
    foreign contact in the 	post 3rd cent. This is a major Roman site found in 
    recent times.