More than 3,100 artefacts unearthed during excavations in Vembakottai

CHENNAI: More than 3,100 artefacts have been found in the first season of excavation at Vembakottai archaeological site in Virudhunagar district. The excavation that started on March 16, this year is set to end on Friday and the latest artefacts excavated are terracotta figurines of male and female heads along with the head of a bird.

“Once documentation is over the report will be submitted to the state government and approval for the second phase will be obtained,” Pon Baskar, Vembakottai archaeological site director told DT Next.

While the excavation is about to end, the excavators on Thursday unearthed three terracotta figurines, a female head, a male broken head and the head of a bird. The female head has a bun on the left side of the head and according to the officials all three could be toys.

“None of the artefacts excavated has any religious connection attached to them. Most were used for playing or as jewellery,” said Pon Baskar.

Though the officials claim that the age of the artefacts unearthed from Vembakottai site is much older than 2,000 years, the artefacts will be sent for radiocarbon dating to ascertain their exact period, after the completion of the first phase of excavation.

Vembakottai is one of the very few archaeological sites in the state where gold ornaments were found and 2000-year-old chess coins was discovered.