Sarcophagus unearthed recently from Zamin Pallavaram highlight of Megalithic Expo

In the exhibition, a five feet long sarcophagus (decorated burial box), which was unearthed recently was being displayed. Also, in the exhibition large sized ordinary urns and black and red ware urns, used for burial, which were unearthed from Adichanallur archaeological site in Thoothukudi district, were also displayed. The age of the urns is between1,300 to 700 BC. 

Along with the grave pots, the potteries kept inside the burials, like vases, ring stand, beaker, lids and dishes were unearthed. The grave pots contained graffiti, marks, paintings and even Brahmi scripts. 

Vetriselvi, curator of Fort St George Museum, said that the sarcophagus was unearthed from Zamin Pallavaram in Kancheepuram district, in December 2017 and it dates back to 300 BC. The sarcophagus was not unearthed completely but was mended into a complete structure. 

The sarcophagus is 5.7 feet long, 1.5 feet wide and had a depth of 1.64 feet in breadth. Two rows of six legs, which are supporting the sarcophagus, are hollow type which measures 16 cm in height and 8 cm in diameter.

A crescent was found in the backside of the sarcophagus indicating the belief system prevalent in the era. A similar sarcophagus was unearthed by an archaeologist Alexander Rea from the same site in 1988, said Vetriselvi.

She also said that the Megalithic period in South India corresponded with the neolithic period in India and in this period majority of the artefacts unearthed were related to burial practices. “People of that era had an extensive burial practice and they buried the things used by the persons in the burial. Because of that the burial yard was so big,” said Vetriselvi. 

According to their belief dead persons would remain eternal as long as the existence of the moon and so the things used by the person were kept in the burial with the belief that the person will use the things even after the death, said Vetriselvi.  Earlier, the exhibition was inaugurated by Shanthipappu, Founder and Secretary (Honorary), Sharma Centre for Heritage, present in Chennai and Pune.