Context:
Terracotta pipelines unearthed at Keeladi in Sivaganga district.
Keeladi:
- Location – On the banks of the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu.
- Excavation by – Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department.
- Significance of the excavation –
- Linked to Sangam age
- Important for understanding the missing links of the Iron Age (12th century BCE to sixth century BCE) to the Early Historic Period (sixth century BCE to fourth century BCE)
- It has all the characteristics of an urban civilization
- Some of the pottery fragments found are written in Tamil Brahmi script.
Sangam age:
- Period – From c. 6th century BCE to c. 3rd century CE
- Area includes – Ancient Tamil Nadu and Kerala
- Sangam refers to assemblies or gatherings of poets and scholars.
- 3 Sangams – 1st and 3rd at Madurai, the 2nd Sangam at Kapadapuram.
- Vattakirutal – A Tamil ritual of fasting till death, widespread during the Sangam age.
- Literature – Tolkappiyam, Ettuthokai and Pathuppattu
- Twin epics – Silappathigaram and Manimegalai.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) Chanhudaro
(b) Kot Diji
(c) Sohgaura
(d) Desalpur
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Sohguara is famous for its copper plate inscription, not a Harappan site.
