Archaeological research in Kaddukarai

Abstract

Srilanka has a distinctive history and culture. Particularly, Northern part of Sri Lanka is a region with opulent history of Tamils. We are able to know that, it has an ancient history from the archaeological studies conducted in these places. This fact has been confirmed by archaeological evidences of ancient settlements widely found inside the Kaddukkarai tank and the jungle area adjacent to the Northward bund of the tank. During the surface survey here, several types of Archaeological signs were recovered, which belong to different periods, from stone Age to thirteenth century. It is notable that, few types of stone – tools, clay utensils of the megalithic period, stone beads, Bangles iron tools, evidence of work shops Where stone beads, clay utensils, conch shells were produced during the period, when this culture prevailed. There is reliable evidence to show that the artifacts related to Hindu religion were adopted from megalithic culture that prevailed 2500 years ago. This tradition was adhered in contemporary Sri Lanka. It is said that religious signs found in the Kaddukkarai excavations stands as evidences to this. The religious artifacts had been made with clay, mixed with river sand and paddy husk or hay and later baked. Several figures and sings reminding several types of deity worship were found here. A Lingam with Aavudai, different types of Nanthy and Lingams, Tridents, crescent are related to Sivan. Female statutes could be linked Sakthy. Some coins, whose period could be determined, had been recovered closer to the excavation pits. 2 coins among them were more than 2200 years old. The discovery of this coin in kaddukkarai definitely shows that people have lived in kaddukkarai contemporarily and that they are civilized enough to have commercial links with India. These evidences urge the research regarding the period of origin, taken further back. In that manner, we are able to notify the existence of the civilized society through the identification of coins, pottery, stone and terracotta figurines in kaddukarai. These evidences are the illumination for the concealed history of Tamils.