Major excavations at Tamil Nadu's Alagankulam to discover more on historical trade links with Rome

With the aim of finding more evidence to throw further light on the existence of trade links between Tamil Nadu and Rome in the early period, large scale excavations got underway at Alagankulam, a far

CHENNAI: With the aim of finding more evidence to throw further light on the existence of trade links between Tamil Nadu and Rome in the early period, large scale excavations got underway at Alagankulam, a far off village in Ramanathapuram district located along Vaigai river beside the estuary.

A team of eight archaeologists, headed by J Bhaskar, have swung into action to dig the site, Kottaimedu, identified through due process to go about trenching. A group of about 70 labourers would help in digging deep into the ground to unearth material evidences, according to R Sivanantham, Deputy Superintending Archeologist, State Archaeology Department.

Ramanathapuram district collector S Natarajan launched the excavations at an event organised on Tuesday in the presence of archaeologists and prominent  locals.
Sivanantham said, “The current excavations are being carried out on a large scale for the first time in  Alagankulam and the process will last till September end before the Northeast monsoon hits.”

He added this is seventh season of excavation in the spot which had already yielded evidences showing maritime trade relations with Rome and existence of a Roman settlement in Alagankulam unravelling the fact that traders from the Mediterranean country had arrived for doing business.
On the first day, five trenches in the size of 10/10 meter were dug up. Each trench would be dug up to a depth of 20 feet, Bhaskar, Excavation Director for Alagankulam, told Express.
The excavationists hope to stumble upon findings only after a month’s work.

Day 1 works
On the first day, five trenches in the size of 10/10 meter were dug up. Each trench would be dug up to a depth of 20 feet, Bhaskar, Excavation Director for Alagankulam, told Express.

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