You are on page 1of 2

Evidences of Human activities since Early Stone Age at Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram (120 50'N & 79025'E) is a popular city from the famous poet Kalidasa (as a
Nagareshukanch) onwards in the southern part of India. Its popularity is further pushed
back to Early Stone Age from the recent archaeological excavations conducted by the
Department of Sanskrit & Indian Culture, Sri Chandrasekhrendra Saraswathi Vishwa
Mahavidyalaya University, Enathur, Kanchipuram. During the month of February, the
University archaeological team has conducted excavations at Singadivakam, Buddha
Akaram and surrounding suburban areas of the present Kanchipuram, about 70 km away
from Chennai in southwest direction. It has provided many new evidences about the early
human activities, environment, geomorphology of regions, etc. Pebbles of various form
and sizes have been noticed in the area at a considerable distance in Singadivakam. Varity
of stone tool typology related from Early Stone Age (Palaeolithic) to New Stone Age
(Neolithic) revealed the early Human activities in the area. It is an interesting and first
finding near Kanchipuram region. Abbevillian Hand Axes with pebble butt, pear and
ovate shapes; flakes scrapers, borers or points of Early Stone Age tools in different sizes;
blades, scrapers, points, triangles, lunates, etc. tools in microliths and ground or polished
tools of New Stone Age were collected mostly from the loose gravels lying in the lack
bed, but a few were also found in situ. The above tool typology of the Early Stone Age or
Lower Paleolithic Culture of India in general, falls within the time span of the middle
Pleistocene and early part of the upper – Pleistocene, approximately covering a period
from about half-a-million to 50000 year B.P. Those tools were used for digging edible
roots, grubbing purposes, mattocks for cutting up and smashing an ambushed animal,
dressing their skins, cutting, chopping, skinning the game and even hunting against an
enemy (human or animal). Excavation in Singadivakam revealed that existence of human
activities in the region from the Early Stone Age onwards and developed the region
through the ages with their technologies. The region is full of many eri/ lakes, tanks,
ponds and connecting with small streams with alluvial deposits indicating once an
existence of a major river or stream flowing in the region. However, geomorphological
studies are required for further conclusion. Other important antiquities unearthed from
the lower level to Early Historical appendage at Singadivakam – Hand made coarse Red
Ware, Black-and-Red ware, Black polished Ware, Red Ware, Russet Coated Ware (a few
with paintings), Red Polished Ware in very fine fabric and thin section, etc. pot sherds are
in different shapes and sizes unearthed from the stratified layers. Besides, terracotta
beads, skin rubbers, hopscotches, shell objects, coin (?), etc. have also been unearthed
from Singadivakam. From Buddha Akaram and its surrounding villages, Early
Historical pottery like – Black-and-Red Ware, Black Ware, Red Slipped Ware, etc. in
different coarses and shapes were revealed from the stratified layers. From the temple
vestiges (?) – dressed big granite blocks , rubble foundation, etc have been noticed where
a sitting Buddha in dhyana mudra stature has unearthed by the local people a few
centuries ago. Medieval period mandapas in ruin condition have also been found with
inscriptions in tamil and telugu scripts at Uttukadu, near Buddha Akaram. Moreover,
further exploration and excavations are required immediately to record the potentiality of
the region. Because, the rapid industrial activities of the present society is damaging the
entire deposits.
Dr. S. Rama Krishna Pisipaty
Reader & Geoarchaeologist
Department of Sanskrit & Indian Culture
Sri Chandra Sekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Maha Vidyalaya
Enathur
Kanchipuram -631 561.
India.

You might also like