VILLUPURAM: Discovery of nearly 2,000-year-old beads and an 800-year-old Tamil inscription in a village near Ulundurpet gave the people of the area cause for diversion after a visiting team of archaeologists from Cuddalore requested that the area be secured against public entry to facilitate further research.
The discovery was made during renovation works at the ancient Vadakurumbur Sivan temple near Ulundurpet. While digging in the premises of the temple, the workers happened on a petrification, which gave way to a pit when dug.
The temple management, which was immediately informed, called the revenue department. Tirukoilur revenue division officer Senthamarai, Ulundurpet tahsildar Balasubramanian, revenue inspector Anbu, and village administrative officer Jegan visited the village and took a look at the pit.
Suspecting that the finding could be an important one, the archeological survey of India Chindambaram circle office was informed. A team from there, headed by archeologist Basakar, visited the village and further explored the pit. They dug a little and found coloured tiles and beads, as well as metal beads.
The team also undertook a surface exploration of the locality and happened upon a Tamil inscription not far from the place. Judging by the style of writing, which looked like the style used 800 years ago, the inscription was dated back to the Chozha dynasty.
The Archeological department officals have asked the revenue department to declare the area restricted, following which the area was secured against public entry.