Pattanam Excavation By KCHR - Deshabhimani
August 31, 2010 at 6:30:00 PM
The Deshabhimani article, written by S V Mehjoob, explains the artefacts found from the excavations in Pattanam by KCHR. It also includes relevant excerpts from the media activists SV Mehjoob, PP Shanawas, ERajesh and CT Ajit Kumar, with Dr PJ Cherian, Director of KCHR and head of the Mining Research Project at Muziris.
The archaeological research started by the town near Paravur in Ernakulam four years ago as part of the Muziris Excavation Research Project does not unearth any culture. It brings back to the present several cultural streams and people who have maintained international relations for millennia.
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Excavation research activities in the town have yielded definitive evidence of four periods. The remains of the civilization were found in the trenches, which were accumulated over 3000 years in four layers of soil four metres thick. All these four soils are rich in archaeological evidence from four periods, according to Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) Director and Head of Muziris Mining Research Project, Prof. PJ Cherian, and co-researchers KP Shajan and Dr. Shelvaraj.
The lowest layer of soil included Iron Age artefacts from 1000 BC to 500 BC that were related to the local population. It's vital to note the role of black and red pottery, red pottery, and leftover iron household tool pieces. Also, human bone pieces were found from the Iron Age. Since the smallest bone fragments were found, historians have speculated that these were cremation remains and that cremation was practised at that time. However, it is estimated that more studies are needed in this regard. It is a source of pride for Kerala and valuable knowledge for South Asia that three thousand years ago there were people living a very simple life.