Perumbalai

Perumbalai
Village
Perumbalai is located in Tamil Nadu
Perumbalai
Perumbalai
Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Perumbalai is located in India
Perumbalai
Perumbalai
Perumbalai (India)
Coordinates: 11°57′48″N 77°56′20″E / 11.9633°N 77.9388°E / 11.9633; 77.9388
CountryIndia
StateTamil Nadu
DistrictDharmapuri
Language(s)
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)

Perumbalai is a village in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located within Dharmapuri district.[1]

Perumbalai is situated on the banks of Nagavathi River.[2]

Historical significance and archaeological finds

Perumbalai has gained local and national attention recently due to discovery of hundreds of artifacts dating back to the 6th century BCE.[2][3] The artifacts unearthed include terracotta figurines, sherds with geometric symbols and potteries with well-levigated clay.[4] Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, released a report of the diggings and finds by S. Paranthaman and R. Venkata Guru Prasanna in June 2024. It was titled "Excavations at Perumbalai, 2022."[5]

Perumbalai area was on the radar of archeologists earlier also, in the 19th and 20th centuries.[6][7]

Hero stones dating back to the 13th century have also been discovered in Perumbalai.[8]

Excavations are ongoing and may find important clues to ancient Tamil civilization.[9] However, experts have warned that these endeavours have taken on a political turn and may lead to culture wars.[10]

References

  1. ^ Madras District Gazetteers: Tamil Nadu district. Superintendent, Government Press. 1995.
  2. ^ a b Muruganandham, T. (2024-07-03). "Artefacts in TN's Perumbalai excavation site reveal an Iron Age story". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  3. ^ Sivapriyan,DHNS, E. T. B. "It's raining artefacts as curtains set to draw on excavations in Tamil Nadu". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  4. ^ Jesudasan, Dennis S. (2024-06-23). "Sherds with geometric symbols, potteries with well-levigated clay excavated in Perumbalai". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  5. ^ "CM inaugurates excavations in eight sites, including 10th phase in Keeladi, and four new sites". The Times of India. 2024-06-18. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  6. ^ India, Archæological Survey of (1882). New Imperial Series. Manager of Publications.
  7. ^ Rajan, Karai (1997). Archaeological Gazetteer of Tamil Nadu. Manoo Pathippakam.
  8. ^ Staff Reporter (2022-01-16). "Two hero stones with inscriptions discovered at Perumbalai in Dharmapuri". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  9. ^ "Stalin launches archaeological excavations in eight locations across Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  10. ^ Ashok, Sowmiya (2022-06-22). "Stalin's archaeology push in Tamil Nadu is the stuff of culture wars. Experts have a warning". ThePrint. Retrieved 2024-08-09.