Six Excavated Sites in Krishnagiri Region: Archaeological Insights
By C. Chandrasekar
Summary
The Journal of Indian History and Culture's December 2021 issue highlights archaeological excavations in the Krishnagiri region, focusing on six key sites. These include Mallappadi, Togarapalli, Mayiladumparai, and Panaikulam, among others. The study reveals stratigraphic layers spanning microlithic (10,000–3000 BC), neolithic (3000–1000 BC), megalithic (1000–300 BC), and early historic (300 BC–1st century AD) periods. Key findings include megalithic habitations, rock shelters with white-kaolin paintings depicting horse-riders and combat scenes, and memorial stones featuring Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions. Mayiladumparai, notably, exhibited all four cultural phases, with microlithic tools, neolithic pottery, and a 75 cm cultural deposit. The excavations uncovered over 1,000 megalithic burials, red-and-black ware, and russet-coated pottery, indicating technological evolution. Rock engravings and paintings, some showing sexual postures or animal combat, were documented. The study emphasizes the region's historical significance, including its Sangam-era name "Kallnadu" and the transition from hunting to agricultural economies.
Conclusion
The excavations in the Krishnagiri region reveal a continuous human habitation spanning from the Microlithic period (10,000 BC) to the Medieval era, highlighting the area's rich cultural evolution. The discovery of all four cultural phases—Microlithic, Neolithic, Megalithic, and Early Historic—at Mayiladumparai provides unprecedented insights into the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural communities. The presence of rock paintings, micro-lithic tools, and pottery styles like black-and-red ware and russet-coated painted ware offers tangible evidence of technological and artistic advancements. Notably, the identification of Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions on potsherds underscores the emergence of literacy in early historic times. These findings not only enrich the understanding of Tamil Nadu's prehistoric and historic landscapes but also emphasize the Krishnagiri region's significance as a cultural and archaeological hub.