Rare findings at Pattanam excavation site

The sixth season of the Pattanam excavations at North Paravur near Kodungalur have found 2,000 ancient pottery sherds, which according to the experts of Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR), are unique and new to the archaeological world. 

The Pattanam excavation site [Credit: Frontline]

According to KCHR, which leads the excavation process, the findings are different from the already known Mediterranean, West Asian, Harappan and Chinese pottery remains and an international expertise is required to shed more light on it. Remains of a human skeleton were also found in one of the sites, which will be sent for DNA examination. 

KCHR head of Pattanam excavations P J Cherian, said new findings will be addressed at an international workshop which the council is planning in collaboration with the British Museum, London. "No expert associated with the project was able to identify the shreds, with anything found elsewhere in the world. It is a challenge for the archaeological community. KCHR is hoping that the latest findings would throw light on the unknown aspects of Indian Ocean maritime traditions, culture and civilization," Cherian said. 

KCHR is pinning hopes on national and international experts, who will participate in the five-day workshop planned in September this year, with the support of the British Academy of South Asian Studies. "The soil condition in Kerala is not good enough to preserve ancient relics and the skeletal remains we found were very fragile. But, DNA process is possible. and we will conducting it soon. 

The skeleton might belong to a Roman or someone of Indian origin. 

Nonetheless we are sure that like the other findings in the location this too is ancient," said a KCHR official. 

The sixth season of the excavation which concluded on Wednesday will now start the post-excavation process that includes identification and classification of materials, and preservation. Forty members were part of the KCHR team. Operations were stopped due to the onset of monsoon. 

Author: George Adimathra | Source: The Times of India [May 31, 2012]