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Adichchanallur, An Iron Age Urn
Burial Site
Adichchanallur (8° 37’ 47.6" N; 77° 52’
34.9"E) is located on the right bank of the Tambraparani River,
in the Tuticorin District of Tamil Nadu. The extensive urn burial site
at Adichchanallur in Tuticorin District (formerly Tirunelveli) was
first discovered by Dr. Jagor of Berlin Museum in 1876. A. Rea
excavated a good number of urns during 1910s and discovered gold
diadems with parallels from Mycenae; bronze objects notably lids with
exquisite finials depicting many animal forms, iron objects besides
thousands of potsherds. The excavation was resumed during 2003-04 and
2004-05. More than 160 urns within the area of 600 square meters have
been exposed.
General
View of the Excavatede Trenches with urn burials in Situ,
Adichchanallur
The
burials have been classified into three phases, viz., Phase I, II
and III. Phase I contains predominantly primary burials, while in
Phases II & III, both primary and secondary burials are found.
General
View of the Excavated Trenches with urn burials in Situ,
Adichchanallur
The
skeletal remains inside the urns are invariably placed in crouched
position. No orientation seems to have been followed. There are two
examples of double burial. A potsherd with appliqué narrative scene
is an important find. It depicts a slim and tall woman standing near
by plantain tree. An egret is shown sitting on the tree and holding
a fish. A deer and alligator are also depicted near the woman. Good
number of graffiti on pottery has been discovered.
Contents of an Urn burial: Remains of bones and burial goods in situ, Adichchanallur
Pottery
types include black and red ware, red ware and black ware. The
dominant shapes include bowls, dishes, vases etc. Some of the pots
are painted in white. Iron implements like arrowheads, spearheads
and axe are found, but eroded and badly preserved. Few copper
ornaments have also been found. Husk and cloth impression has been
found on one of the Iron sword. A potter’s kiln was also exposed
in the habitational site.
Contents of an Urn burial: Remains of bones and burial goods in situ, Adichchanallur
Contents of an Urn burial: Remains of rice husk, Adichchanallur
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