Perumbalai
- Perumbalai is located on the bank of the Nagavathi (ancient Palar), a tributary of the Cauvery River.
- Kongumandala Satakam, a 13th Century literary work by Karmegakavirayar of Vijayamangalam, referred to Perumbalai as the northern boundary of the Kongu region, comprising present-day Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur and parts of Dharmapuri and Salem.
- The Tamil Nadu government’s Department of Archaeology conducted excavations at Perumbalai in Dharmapuri district.
- Graffiti resembling geometric symbols was found among the potsherds discovered.
- The report titled “Excavations at Perumbalai 2022” was published by the Department of Archaeology.
- According to AMS (Accelerator Mass spectrometry) dates, the site’s lowest level dates back to the 6th Century BCE.
- Tamil-Brahmi inscribed potsherds and graffiti-bearing potsherds have been found at other early historic sites such as Vallam, Kodumanal, Keeladi, Uraiyur, and Karur.
- Pottery Assemblage:
- The pottery found demonstrates a proper chronological sequence.
- The lower-most level yielded thin pottery, primarily fine Black and Red Ware (BRW) and black ware.
- The clay used was fine and well-levigated, indicative of the Iron Age.
- Swastik-like symbols were found on potsherds, also many with recognizable signs.
- Various types of pottery were unearthed, including burnished, black and red, russet-coated black and red, and red ware. Russet-coated ware served as elite tableware.
- Antiquities:
- The excavations yielded terracotta objects representing human and bird figurines, beads, wheels, sling balls, spindle whorls, lamps, and hopscotches.
- An unidentified copper coin and a copper bell were also found.
Dig Deeper: Read about the features of the Iron Age and compare them with the Sangam Period.
