Context-The Tamil Nadu archaeological department’s request to continue excavations at four locations, including Keeladi, has been approved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

• The development has given hope to experts that the 1000-year gap in history between the Sangam Age and the Indus civilisation may now be bridged.

Excavation sites

Keeladi

• It is located on banks of river Vaigai.It is also known as urban settlement of sangam age

Sivagalai

• Located in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu
• It was once known as 'Small ceylon' by Britishers.
• Evidence of Megalithic archeological remains were found in 2018.

Kodumanal

• Located in Erode district (Tamil Nadu)
• Located on river Noyyal (Tributary of cauvery)
• Flourishing ancient trade city known as Kodumanam (as inscribed in Pathitrupathu of Sangam Literature).

Adhichanallur

• Located in Thoothukudi district, TN.
• In 2004, iron-age (1500 BC to 500 BC) burial sites were unearthed by ASI from here.

Significance

• Significant findings during the Keeladi excavation in September proved that the history of Sangam Era, earlier considered as old as 3rd century BC, is as old as 6th century BC.
• The findings were based on six carbon samples collected by the state archaeology department and tested in the US.
• It was also found that Tamil Brahmi script (Tamili) dates back to 580 BC. Evidence that existed earlier had traced Tamili back to 490 BC.
• The outcome may be a path to establish a direct link between the Sangam era and the Indus Valley civilisation.
• In South India, we have had iron age between 2000 BC to 600 BC. So it is a hypothesis that graffiti marks found in Keeladi may have links to the Indus Valley period.
• The Indus script is 4,500 years old and the graffiti marks in the Keeladi region are dated between disappearance of Indus script and emergence of the Brahmi script. “Some 1,001 graffiti sherds found from Keeladi site are believed to be the early writing expressions of the Iron Age people.
• While Keeladi excavations, like in Gangetic plains, have unearthed large-scale brick structures and associated artefacts of high value, suggesting an active urban life as early as 6th century BC in Tamil Nadu.
• State archaeology department commissioner Udhayachandran said, “Madurai city excavation plans are not part of these four locations''.
• Excavations in Keeladi, about 13 km south east of the temple city Madurai and close to Vaigai river, were started by ASI in three stages between 2014 and 2017.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

• The ASI is the premier organization for the archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the country.
• It is an attached office under the Department of Culture , Ministry of Culture.
• The prime objective of ASI is to maintain the archaeological sites, ancient monuments and remains of national importance.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Established: 1861 by Alexander Cunningham.
• It regulates all archaeological activities as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
• It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.