Unveiling Keezhadi: The Tamil Civilisation's Urban Legacy

What is Keezhadi and Why is It Important?

Keezhadi is an archaeological site located near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Excavations at this site have uncovered remains of an advanced and urbanised Tamil civilisation. The findings include structures, pottery, inscriptions, and industrial artifacts that indicate a well-organised settlement. Keezhadi provides crucial evidence of Sangam-era habitation along the Vaigai river.

What Type of Civilisation Was Found at Keezhadi?

The site indicates the existence of an urban, literate, and trade-oriented society. Artifacts discovered at Keezhadi point to well-developed skills in pottery and craft production. There are also indications of literacy, as graffiti resembling Tamil-Brahmi script has been found. The evidence suggests strong cultural and commercial activity linked to river-based urbanism.

How Was the Age of the Site Determined?

The age of Keezhadi was established through Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), a precise scientific technique used for carbon dating. Charcoal samples collected during the excavation were tested to determine the age of the site.

What Did Carbon Dating Reveal?

AMS tests conducted in 2017 on the charcoal samples from Keezhadi dated the settlement to around 200 BCE. This discovery pushes back the timeline of organised Tamil habitation in the region, aligning it with early historic urban settlements.

Why Is the Carbon Dating Result Significant?

The results of the carbon dating challenge previous assumptions that the Tamil civilisation developed much later. The findings support the notion that the Sangam age may have exhibited urban characteristics, revealing cultural continuity from the Iron Age. This contributes significantly to the understanding of South India's early history.

How Does Keezhadi Impact the Understanding of Indian Civilisation?

Keezhadi serves as a southern counterpart to the Indus Valley Civilisation. Although distinct, it demonstrates the simultaneous development of advanced societies across India. This supports a more plural and decentralised perspective of ancient Indian civilisation.

What Makes Keezhadi Unique Among Other Sites?

Keezhadi is one of the few sites in South India where clear urban layouts, zones of craft activity, and potential indicators of literacy have been discovered. It plays a vital role in bridging the gap between Iron Age cultures and the classical Tamil literature of the Sangam age.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What artifacts have been found at Keezhadi?
Answer: Artifacts discovered at Keezhadi include pottery, inscriptions, and industrial tools, indicating a sophisticated urban settlement during the Sangam era.

Q2. What is the significance of the Tamil-Brahmi script found at Keezhadi?
Answer: The presence of Tamil-Brahmi script suggests that the society at Keezhadi was literate, indicating the advanced cultural development of the Tamil civilization.

Q3. How does Keezhadi compare to the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Answer: Keezhadi offers insights into a distinct southern urban culture, showcasing that advanced societies were developing concurrently across ancient India, much like the Indus Valley.

Q4. What does the carbon dating tell us about Tamil habitation?
Answer: Carbon dating reveals that organised Tamil habitation at Keezhadi dates back to around 200 BCE, suggesting an earlier timeline for urban development in Tamil Nadu.

Q5. Why is Keezhadi considered a crucial site for understanding South Indian history?
Answer: Keezhadi provides vital evidence of urbanisation and cultural continuity, helping historians understand the complexities of early South Indian societies beyond the Iron Age.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What period do the findings at Keezhadi date back to?
A) 100 BCE
B) 200 BCE
C) 300 BCE
D) 400 BCE
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which script is associated with the artifacts found at Keezhadi?
A) Sanskrit
B) Tamil-Brahmi
C) Pali
D) Devanagari
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: What type of society is indicated by the findings at Keezhadi?
A) Nomadic
B) Agrarian
C) Urban and literate
D) Tribal
Correct Answer: C

Question 4: Which river is associated with the habitation at Keezhadi?
A) Godavari
B) Krishna
C) Vaigai
D) Ganges
Correct Answer: C

Question 5: What technique was used to date the artifacts found at Keezhadi?
A) Radiocarbon dating
B) Accelerator Mass Spectrometry
C) Thermoluminescence
D) Stratigraphy
Correct Answer: B

Question 6: Which of the following best describes the significance of Keezhadi in Indian history?
A) It is the oldest site in India.
B) It shows cultural continuity from the Iron Age.
C) It has no urban characteristics.
D) It is isolated from other civilizations.
Correct Answer: B

Question 7: Keezhadi is primarily associated with which civilization?
A) Indus Valley Civilisation
B) Mesopotamian Civilisation
C) Tamil Civilisation
D) Chinese Civilisation
Correct Answer: C