12-17-2008, 01:46 AM
http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/10/stories/...900300.htm
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->PUDUKOTTAI: An ancient habitation, dating back to the hoary past, has been unearthed at Oliyamangalam, near Karaiyur in the district. An array of excavations, gathered particularly after the post-ploughing operation on the agricultural fields, testifies to an ancient urban civilization in the area.
A team of three epigraphists, who conducted a survey at the village, have gathered various fresh materials, confirming the existence of the habitation. âGoing by the analysis of various brick-works, beads, hop-scotch and other domestic materials collected at several agricultural lands, the village should have been a seat of a great civilisation,â say the former Curator of the Government Museum, Pudukottai, J. Rajamohamad; the Curator of the Musueum, C. Govindaraj and an epigraphist, K. Rajendran.
Mr. Rajamohamad said that Oliyamangalam, originally called Ollaiyur had several references to the Sangam Pandya empire and also in the âPurananooruâ. A large number of megalithic dolmens had been found in this village. Black and red potteries, terracotta figurines and beads of antique value were collected from the megaliths by this research team in 2003. Further evidences shows that people had inhabited here for a prolonged era.
The temple has an ancient temple dedicated to Sri Varaguniswarar and in 1920, some inscriptions of the 13th and 14th century A.D. had been copied from the temple. In 2003, the epigraphists copied many inscriptions dating back to the 11th and 12th century, tracing the origin into a deeper past.
Further research on the site had suggested that the Sri Varaguniswarar temple belonged to 9th century A.D. âThe temple could have been built during the reign of Varaguna Pandya â II (862-885 A.D). Since this area was under the rule of Varaguna Pandya -II, this temple might have been constructed during his reign and on his name. Over the years, it had got ruined and a fresh structure with later architecture style, had been constructed. However, the name Varaguniswarar had been retained till date.â
Dilapidated stones and sculptures are strewn around the temple. The sculptures of Sri Bhairavar and Sri Chandikeswarar are artistic. The iconographical details prove that they belong to the 9th century A.D. The vast stretch of agricultural lands around the temple was the habitation site. Old potteries, terracotta beads, Chinese porcelain, bricks were found similar to those unearthed at the other sites dating back to the 10th century.
âAn interesting find is a long and thick underground drainage pipe at a house. It is made of burnt clay and has been in tact even now, indicating the existence of an urban civilization. âA systematic excavation in the site may bring many more new materials to unravel the history of the area. In fact, we have asked the State Archaeological Department to conduct a special survey in the area and conduct a special study,â says Mr. Rajamohamad.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->PUDUKOTTAI: An ancient habitation, dating back to the hoary past, has been unearthed at Oliyamangalam, near Karaiyur in the district. An array of excavations, gathered particularly after the post-ploughing operation on the agricultural fields, testifies to an ancient urban civilization in the area.
A team of three epigraphists, who conducted a survey at the village, have gathered various fresh materials, confirming the existence of the habitation. âGoing by the analysis of various brick-works, beads, hop-scotch and other domestic materials collected at several agricultural lands, the village should have been a seat of a great civilisation,â say the former Curator of the Government Museum, Pudukottai, J. Rajamohamad; the Curator of the Musueum, C. Govindaraj and an epigraphist, K. Rajendran.
Mr. Rajamohamad said that Oliyamangalam, originally called Ollaiyur had several references to the Sangam Pandya empire and also in the âPurananooruâ. A large number of megalithic dolmens had been found in this village. Black and red potteries, terracotta figurines and beads of antique value were collected from the megaliths by this research team in 2003. Further evidences shows that people had inhabited here for a prolonged era.
The temple has an ancient temple dedicated to Sri Varaguniswarar and in 1920, some inscriptions of the 13th and 14th century A.D. had been copied from the temple. In 2003, the epigraphists copied many inscriptions dating back to the 11th and 12th century, tracing the origin into a deeper past.
Further research on the site had suggested that the Sri Varaguniswarar temple belonged to 9th century A.D. âThe temple could have been built during the reign of Varaguna Pandya â II (862-885 A.D). Since this area was under the rule of Varaguna Pandya -II, this temple might have been constructed during his reign and on his name. Over the years, it had got ruined and a fresh structure with later architecture style, had been constructed. However, the name Varaguniswarar had been retained till date.â
Dilapidated stones and sculptures are strewn around the temple. The sculptures of Sri Bhairavar and Sri Chandikeswarar are artistic. The iconographical details prove that they belong to the 9th century A.D. The vast stretch of agricultural lands around the temple was the habitation site. Old potteries, terracotta beads, Chinese porcelain, bricks were found similar to those unearthed at the other sites dating back to the 10th century.
âAn interesting find is a long and thick underground drainage pipe at a house. It is made of burnt clay and has been in tact even now, indicating the existence of an urban civilization. âA systematic excavation in the site may bring many more new materials to unravel the history of the area. In fact, we have asked the State Archaeological Department to conduct a special survey in the area and conduct a special study,â says Mr. Rajamohamad.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->