Marungur Excavation
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Context: The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) has completed the Marungur excavation in Cuddalore district, unearthing a habitation-cum-burial site dating from the Iron Age to Early Historic Period.
About Marungur excavation:
• What it is? A multidisciplinary archaeological excavation aimed at uncovering prehistoric settlements and burial systems spanning the Iron Age to Early Historic period, led by the TNSDA.
• A multidisciplinary archaeological excavation aimed at uncovering prehistoric settlements and burial systems spanning the Iron Age to Early Historic period, led by the TNSDA.
• Location: Located in Panruti taluk, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, between the Thenpennai and Vada Vellar rivers, part of the ancient Naduvil Mandalam
• Key Features:
• Habitation mound & burial site: Both components found together — rare for Tamil Nadu. Artifacts: 95 items including Tamil-Brahmi potsherds, terracotta ware, microliths, beads, bone tools, conch shells, iron implements, antimony rods, and Chola-era coins. Advanced techniques: Used UAV mapping, LiDAR, AMS carbon dating, and phytolith analysis for precise chronology. Burial system: Megalithic urn burials with concentric laterite stone circles, grave goods, iron swords, and jasper beads. Stratified excavation: Trench layers showed clear anthropogenic activity up to 6 m, revealing continuous occupation.
• Habitation mound & burial site: Both components found together — rare for Tamil Nadu.
• Artifacts: 95 items including Tamil-Brahmi potsherds, terracotta ware, microliths, beads, bone tools, conch shells, iron implements, antimony rods, and Chola-era coins.
• Advanced techniques: Used UAV mapping, LiDAR, AMS carbon dating, and phytolith analysis for precise chronology.
• Burial system: Megalithic urn burials with concentric laterite stone circles, grave goods, iron swords, and jasper beads.
• Stratified excavation: Trench layers showed clear anthropogenic activity up to 6 m, revealing continuous occupation.
• Significance:
• Chronological breakthrough: Sheds light on the transition from Iron Age to Early Historic life in Naduvil Nadu. Epigraphic value: Rare Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions found on grave pots — among the earliest scripts in Tamil Nadu. Cultural evolution: Offers evidence of urban settlement patterns, trade links (Arikamedu, Poompuhar), and burial rituals.
• Chronological breakthrough: Sheds light on the transition from Iron Age to Early Historic life in Naduvil Nadu.
• Epigraphic value: Rare Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions found on grave pots — among the earliest scripts in Tamil Nadu.
• Cultural evolution: Offers evidence of urban settlement patterns, trade links (Arikamedu, Poompuhar), and burial rituals.